By Graham Thomas
Sometimes, there is Christmas cheer to be found in unexpected places.
For instance, if you happen to be a Cardiff City fan, then seeing Kieffer Moore score two superb goals for Sheffield United last weekend – to leave your own club in the Championship relegation zone – doesn’t appear to be a cause for celebration.
But if you put down your blue Santa headgear for a moment, and put on your Wales hat, then suddenly Moore’s magic looks entirely different.
Now, instead of viewing his performance as the ghosts of Christmas past come haunting against his former club, old Kieffer is showing what he can still do for his country in 2025.
Moore may no longer be an automatic starting selection for Wales, particularly since Craig Bellamy became manager.
But as an alternative to the likes of Brennan Johnson, the 32-year-old remains a big asset for a country about to embark on a World Cup qualification campaign.
His Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder certainly seems to think so.
“Kieffer is contributing to a team that’s doing well, he’s an important member of our squad, and he’s been in and around the Wales squad for a long time,” said Wilder, who looks likely to lead the Blades back to the Premier League.
“He gives us a different outlet and he maybe gives the national team something a little bit different to what they’ve got as well.
“For me, there are always different ways to win a game of football. Teams now are pressing really high and I think there is a lot of debate about game management.
“We’ve got that ability to go into Kiefer and get up the pitch with him, so it’s been fabulous since the day he walked through the door. If he can contribute like he has done for us, to the national team in the new year, then Wales are on to a good thing.”
Moore has often been typecast as a big, physical, old-fashioned centre-forward, chiefly due to his 6ft 5in frame and his undoubted ability in the air.
But there is far more to his game than that, as he proved with both his goals against Cardiff. The first was a piece of cushioned control on his chest, before a rapid swivel and crisply struck half-volley, the second a surging run and low drive hammered home without breaking stride.
“Neither goal was a towering header from four yards out,” said Wilder of Moore’s contribution.
“The first one is an outstanding piece of skill, while the second one showed a player who could have slipped someone else in, but had the confidence to take the ball on and score himself.”
The former Bournemouth striker is optimistic about Wales’ chances of World Cup qualification after they secured promotion back to Nations League’s League A and completed a successful campaign under new manager Bellamy, who remains unbeaten in his first six matches in charge.
By finishing at the top of Group B4, Wales not only celebrated their promotion but also positioned themselves for a potential play-off spot – should they require it – for the 2026 World Cup.
However, Moore insists that the team will not rely on that fallback option.
“I don’t think you want to use that for you in that way, because if you know there’s a way out then you don’t really apply yourself maybe the way you should,” Moore explained.
“Obviously it’s nice we do have that but that shouldn’t be on our minds, qualification straight away should be on our minds and finishing top of the group.”
The road to qualification begins on 22 March, with Wales hosting Kazakhstan in Cardiff. The campaign concludes on 18 November with another home fixture against North Macedonia.
In between, Wales face a challenging schedule, including a trip to Belgium on 9 June before hosting the same opponents on 13 October.
