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Daniel James: Wales winger says Euro 2020 experience made squad 'thirsty' for World Cup qual
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Few expect anything other than Belgium running away with Group E given their quality, but Wales believe they can usurp the Czech Republic and qualify via the play-offs.
Robert Page's side will move second if they beat Estonia on Wednesday and James, who made his major tournament debut in the summer, is confident they can reach their first World Cup since 1958.
"I think just the experience of the Euros just makes us that kind of little bit more thirsty to go and qualify for the World Cup," he said.
"It's going to be a little bit tougher with the teams and obviously less qualify but it's one as a team that we fully believe that we can do.
"We take a lot of positives out of (the Euros). I think most people didn't think we were going to get out of the group and we fully believed that we could.
"Don't get me wrong, we were very disappointed after getting through that group to go out like that (4-0 loss to Denmark in round of 16), but it's one that we'll learn from, take a lot from it because it was a lot of boys' first major tournament, including myself.
"We're just excited with these World Cup Qualifiers coming up because, as I said before, having that experience of the Euros just makes us a little bit more wanting to qualify for the World Cup."
"I've got to go in giving my all," Yorkshire-born James said. "Now it's just about enjoying this next chapter of my career and just how it unfolds.
"I obviously have my own personal goals which I keep to myself, but I'm looking forward to it. I'm excited to learn, getting to learn this new system and hopefully contribute to the team."
James fondly recalled playing Leeds as a youngster at Hull and cannot wait to step out at Elland Road - something he would have done two-and-a-half years ago had a deal for the winger not collapsed.
Few expect anything other than Belgium running away with Group E given their quality, but Wales believe they can usurp the Czech Republic and qualify via the play-offs.
Robert Page's side will move second if they beat Estonia on Wednesday and James, who made his major tournament debut in the summer, is confident they can reach their first World Cup since 1958.
"I think just the experience of the Euros just makes us that kind of little bit more thirsty to go and qualify for the World Cup," he said.
"It's going to be a little bit tougher with the teams and obviously less qualify but it's one as a team that we fully believe that we can do.
"We take a lot of positives out of (the Euros). I think most people didn't think we were going to get out of the group and we fully believed that we could.
"Don't get me wrong, we were very disappointed after getting through that group to go out like that (4-0 loss to Denmark in round of 16), but it's one that we'll learn from, take a lot from it because it was a lot of boys' first major tournament, including myself.
"We're just excited with these World Cup Qualifiers coming up because, as I said before, having that experience of the Euros just makes us a little bit more wanting to qualify for the World Cup."
"I've got to go in giving my all," Yorkshire-born James said. "Now it's just about enjoying this next chapter of my career and just how it unfolds.
"I obviously have my own personal goals which I keep to myself, but I'm looking forward to it. I'm excited to learn, getting to learn this new system and hopefully contribute to the team."
James fondly recalled playing Leeds as a youngster at Hull and cannot wait to step out at Elland Road - something he would have done two-and-a-half years ago had a deal for the winger not collapsed.