CARDIFF — Wales head coach Craig Bellamy stated on June 2, 2026, that Lewis Koumas’ international future lies as a centre-forward following the 20-year-old’s first goal for Wales in a 1-1 friendly draw against Ghana at Cardiff City Stadium.
"[He is a] nine because we don't really have any nines coming through and we do have a lot of wingers, brilliant wingers," Bellamy said. Wales are well stocked with wingers including Daniel James, Harry Wilson, Brennan Johnson, David Brooks, and Sorba Thomas, but have a shortage of genuine strikers.
"He could definitely be a huge asset for us on the wing but, due to our lack of nines coming through the system, we've used him a lot in training that way and he's really been electric," Bellamy added.
Koumas, a Liverpool player who has spent much of his career on the left wing, played as a centre-forward in the match. He scored his first international goal during the game. Bellamy noted that Koumas had previously featured in the central role during a friendly against Northern Ireland in March. "We started him [as a centre-forward] against Northern Ireland [friendly draw in March], I thought he was okay," Bellamy said.
Koumas spent the second half of the 2025-26 season on loan at Hull City, helping them win promotion to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs. He has also had loan spells at Birmingham City and Stoke City, where he predominantly played on the left flank. His father, Jason Koumas, played alongside Bellamy for Wales.