Wales World Cup squad announced as nine Premier League stars make cut

Bale and Ramsey named in Wales squad for World Cup

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Daniel James and Neco Williams are just two of the Premier League stars to have been included in the final Wales squad for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar. Rob Page announced the 26-man group that will be representing Wales on the biggest of global stages at an event on Wednesday evening, with their national football team set to feature at their first World Cup since 1958.

Gareth Bale will be expected to lead by example for Wales after winning the MLS Cup with LAFC earlier this month and will be joined on the plane by several Premier League players as they look to make their country proud over the next few weeks. Nottingham Forest stopper Wayne Hennessy and Danny Ward of Leicester City are named as two of the three goalkeepers in the squad, while Tottenham full-back Ben Davies leads a strong defensive group that also includes the likes of Williams, Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu.

Joe Allen, Jonny Williams and Aaron Ramsey are among the regular midfielders to have been called up by Page, who will also be trusting a number of Premier League attackers to provide the goals for Wales in Qatar. Leeds forward James, Fulham winger Harry Wilson and Bournemouth marksman Kieffer Moore are in the squad alongside Forest striker Brennan Johnson, who has managed to burst onto the scene as a huge talent for club and country since the beginning of last season.

There is no room in the Wales squad for Rangers forward Rabbi Matondo, though, while the likes of Wigan Athletic striker Nathan Broadhead and Ipswich Town wide man Wesley Burns were also overlooked despite being in and around the side over the last few months. Page insisted after naming his final 26-man squad that he chose to leave out Matondo as a result of his lack of regular minutes in Scotland, with the 22-year-old yet to score for his new club since joining from German outfit Schalke over the summer.

JUST IN: ‘Harry Kane needs to go to Bayern Munich’ jokes Alan Shearer

“It’s been a frustrating time for him,” said Page. “I think he was playing his best football when he was in Belgium. If he’d have been playing week in, week out, scoring goals and creating chances like he was in Belgium then it would have been a really difficult decision for me.”

Page opted to steer clear of any major surprises in picking the Wales contingent that will travel to Qatar later this month, with veteran midfielder Allen included in the squad despite being seen as a major injury doubt prior to Wednesday’s announcement.

“We’re giving him every opportunity to be fit, there was no way I was never going to name him in the 26,” explained Page. “He’s on the grass. He’s progressing as we want him to and we’ll give him every opportunity to be fit for the first game.

“I phoned him a couple of days ago to tell him he was in the 26 just to take that pressure off him. If he’s fit, he’s playing. He’s a senior lad, he’s got vast amounts of experience playing tournament football as well so he knows the game inside out and that’s invaluable.

“That’s why I’m throwing everything at it. It’s similar to Joe Ledley probably in 2016, when Cookie [Chris Coleman] had that scenario with an experienced lad that he wanted to go in, because he needed him as a key figure in that team. For me it’s no different with Joe.”

Page also offered his thoughts on whether Bale will once again be the man to make the difference for Wales when the World Cup gets underway, adding: “Has he played as many minutes as we’d like? Probably not, but that doesn’t worry me. He’s proved time and time again when he puts the Welsh jersey on, irrespective of how many minutes he’s played at domestic level, he’s always produced.

“On big occasions he’ll always turn up, thrive, and enjoy it. No questions about him today. He’s already with the staff, over in the country and raring to go. He’ll have an effect on the game straight away and when opposing managers see his name on the team sheet they’ll know. It’s the power that people like Gareth have because they always deliver.”

Want the latest Premier League news as we publish it on Express Sport? Join our Facebook group by clicking here.

England Home Stadium Shirt 2022 – Adult

£74.95 View Deal

  • From the official England merchandise store and modelled on what the team wears on the pitch for home games.
  • Nike Dri-FIT technology is sweat-wicking to stay dry and comfortable.
  • Adult sizes ranging S – XXL.
  • 100% polyester.
  • Machine Washable.
  • Free UK delivery available with code ENGWEMBLEY.

England Away Stadium Shirt 2022 – Adult

£74.95 View Deal

  • From the official England merchandise store and modelled on what the team wears for on the pitch for away games.
  • Nike Dri-FIT technology is sweat-wicking to stay dry and comfortable.
  • Adult sizes ranging S – XXL.
  • 100% polyester.
  • Machine Washable.
  • Free UK delivery available with code ENGWEMBLEY.

England Home Stadium Shirt 2022 – Kids

From £59.95 View Deal

  • From the official England merchandise store and modelled on what the team wears for on the pitch for home games.
  • Nike Dri-FIT technology is sweat-wicking to stay dry and comfortable.
  • Kids sizes ranging XS – XL.
  • 100% polyester.
  • Machine Washable.
  • Free UK delivery available with code ENGWEMBLEY.
  • Customisable with player name and number or choice of text (£74.95)

England Away Stadium Shirt 2022 – Kids

From £59.95 View Deal

  • From the official England merchandise store and modelled on what the team wears for on the pitch for away games
  • Nike Dri-FIT technology is sweat-wicking to stay dry and comfortable.
  • Kids sizes ranging XS – XL.
  • 100% polyester.
  • Machine Washable.
  • Free UK delivery available with code ENGWEMBLEY.
  • Customisable with player name and number or choice of text (£74.95)

Wales squad in full

Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey, Danny Ward, Adam Davies.

Defenders: Ben Davies, Ben Cabango, Tom Lockyer, Joe Rodon, Chris Mepham, Ethan Ampadu, Chris Gunter, Neco Williams, Connor Roberts, Sorba Thomas.

Midfielders: Joe Allen, Matt Smith, Dylan Levitt, Joe Morrell, Jonny Williams, Aaron Ramsey.

Attackers: Harry Wilson, Rubin Colwill, Gareth Bale, Kieffer Moore, Mark Harris, Brennan Johnson, Daniel James.

Source: Read Full Article