It wasn't meant to be for Wales in Qatar.
Rob Page's side crashed out of the World Cup on Tuesday after suffering a 3-0 defeat to neighbours England at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium. Although the Welsh couldn't reach the knockout stages, the idea of them even making the World Cup finals was unthinkable once upon a time. Yet one man believed in them.
It's almost 12 years since the late, great Gary Speed became Wales manager and set them on their way to qualifying for consecutive tournaments. Former Wales international Andy King believes they can continue gracing the biggest stages for years to come.
Bristol City midfielder King, 34, was part of the Wales set-up when Speed took over in December 2010 and saw the impact the legendary midfielder made. Speed urged the Football Association of Wales (FAW) to make the national side a more professional outfit.
The legendary midfielder also wanted to make the players realise what it meant to wear the Welsh dragon on their chests by learning the country's national anthem and history. He wanted his players to have the same passion for Wales as their forever loyal supporters.
And Speed wanted to give young players a chance by promoting them to the senior team. That's helped Wales persuade some talented stars to choose them ahead of England, such as current squad members Ethan Ampadu, Brennan Johnson and Daniel James.
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King has highlighted Speed's impact and believes he should be remembered for his role in Wales' success. "I know it gets spoken about a lot, but that was when it [World Cup qualification] started to get spoken about as a realistic chance that maybe, somewhere down the line, we would do it," King tells Mirror Football, courtesy of M&S.
"To actually have made a World Cup in that sort of time frame - with some of the same players as when he first took over - is really impressive.
"The whole country should be proud - from the grassroots level to developing the players and to everyone who's had an impact at first-team level. I think the whole staff and people who work for the FAW should be really proud, as much as the players are."
Speed sadly passed away in November 2011 and was succeed by Chris Coleman, who managed Wales in Speed's vision. They went on to make history by reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2016 and qualified for Euro 2020 under Page's leadership.
King was part of the squad that stunned Europe in 2016 and knows the secret to Wales' success. "It helps if you've got Gareth Bale playing and coming through at the same time as you - that makes a big difference!" jokes the Leicester legend.
"But I think you only create players of that quality if stuff is done right at grassroots level and giving kids the chance to play. It's no surprise that we're seeing lads coming through who are 18, 19, 20 and playing in the Premier League with a Wales background.
"It shows that they are doing things right at the bottom of the pyramid and that's only going to benefit the first team. Whoever is in charge of the national team will reap the rewards.
"The main thing Gary Speed did was change it to a much more professional set up, a more club-like set up. It wasn't just an international break where you come and represent your country - we're going to start doing things properly and really give this a good go."
Wales' appearance at this year's World Cup was their first since 1958. Fans are hoping they won't have to wait another 64 years to see their country in the competition again - and King doesn't believe that will be the case due to the consistency of Page's side.
Wales are ranked 20th in the world by FIFA, which makes qualifying for tournaments a lot easier as one of the top seeds. It marks a remarkable turnaround, as they were ranked 117th in August 2011 - behind the likes of Haiti, Guatemala and Guyana.
"I think it's a bit of a snowball effect," notes King. "With qualifying for tournaments, your ranking goes up. With your ranking going up, you get put in a better position in the [qualifying] group. When we first started playing, we were pot seven out of seven - so we were in there with three big teams and there's two qualifying spots available.
"Now... we're pot one or two. That means we're one of the big countries in the draw and we'll maybe have one other established, top-quality nation other than ourselves and then maybe someone else who's striving to be where we are.
"The more times you qualify, the easier it gets. That's not to say it'll be easier from now - of course not - but you give yourselves a much better opportunity the more you win games."
King also believes Wales familiarity at international tournaments will inspire more kids to play football. "You can't help but see it on the telly, be gripped by it or see players where you're from out there on the world stage in the world's biggest games," he notes.
"Of course it's going to make someone want to go out and play football with their friends or make them take part and join a local club. I think, ultimately, that's where it comes down to - the more kids playing football, the better it's going to be."
But if the next generation are going to following in the footsteps of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, they need to look after their diets. "It's vital - especially when you get nearer the top of the pyramid, where it becomes not just a bit of fun anymore," says King.
"As a kid, it's all a bit of fun. But when you get to the top end - where you are trying to make marginal gains and make the most out of your body - nutrition is vital. Not only is it just for physical wellbeing, it's for your mental health as well."
Andy King paid a surprise visit to Georgetown Boys and Girls Club to tell the players they are the lucky winners of M&S Food’s Eat Well, Play Well competition, offering a once in a lifetime prize of training with the Cymru national team. Go to marksandspencer.com/football to find out more.
