Wales boss Rob Page has announced his 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. So, HITC Football has looked at Cymru’s strongest XI with Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey.
Page takes his team to the Middle East this month as Wales return to the World Cup stage for the first time in 64 years. Cymru last featured at the FIFA tournament during the 1958 edition in Sweden. Jimmy Murphy’s men reached the quarter-finals before losing to Brazil.
FIFA has drawn Wales in Group B with the United States of America, Iran and England for the 2022 edition. Cymru will play their games on November 21, 25 and 29 respectively. A visit to the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium to face home nations rival England could prove crucial.
Page announces his 26-man Wales squad for the Qatar World Cup
With the World Cup edging closer, the Football Association of Wales (FAW) has announced Page’s 26-man squad flying to Qatar. He has given three goalkeepers, nine defenders, nine midfielders and five forwards a seat on Cymru’s plane jetting off for the FIFA competition.
Of those Page called up, Bale, Ramsey, Wayne Hennessey, Chris Gunter, Ben Davies, Joe Allen, Jonny Williams and Danny Ward are going to their third major competition. All eight featured as Wales reached the semi-finals for Euro 2016 and the Round of 16 at Euro 2020.
Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey (Nottingham Forest), Danny Ward (Leicester City), Adam Davies (Sheffield United)
Defenders: Chris Gunter (AFC Wimbledon), Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest), Connor Roberts (Burnley), Ben Cabango (Swansea City), Tom Lockyer (Luton Town), Joe Rodon (Stade Rennais – on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Chris Mepham (AFC Bournemouth), Ethan Ampadu (Spezia – on loan from Chelsea), Ben Davies (Tottenham)
Midfielders: Sorba Thomas (Huddersfield Town), Joe Allen (Swansea), Matt Smith (MK Dons), Dylan Levitt (Dundee United), Harry Wilson (Fulham), Joe Morrell (Portsmouth), Jonny Williams (Swindon Town), Aaron Ramsey (OGC Nice), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff City)
Forwards: Gareth Bale (Los Angeles FC), Dan James (Fulham – on loan from Leeds), Kieffer Moore (Bournemouth), Mark Harris (Cardiff), Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest)
So, with Page announcing his 26-man squad heading to Qatar, HITC Football has looked at what Wales’ strongest XI would look like as Cymru fly to their first World Cup in 64 years…
Wayne Hennessey (GK): Page will want Wales’ Euro 2016 hero at the World Cup
Page will want to see the return of Wales’ Euro 2016 hero when Cymru begin their World Cup in Qatar. Hennessey was in inspired form during the European Championship six years ago. He was also sensational as Wales beat Ukraine in the play-offs to gain a spot in Qatar.
Connor Roberts (RB): The Burnley dynamo is an engine on the right flank
Roberts is an endless runner on the right flank for Wales to make a difference at both ends of the pitch. He also has an end product and can deliver on the biggest stages. The 41-cap 27-year-old scored a 95th-minute goal as Cymru beat Turkey 2-0 at Euro 2020 under Page.
Joe Rodon (CB): Page will benefit from Tottenham loaning the Wales ace to Rennes
Page will benefit from Tottenham loaning Rodon to Rennes when Wales arrive in Qatar for the World Cup. The 25-year-old is enjoying a prominent presence at the Ligue 1 side and is getting minutes in Europe. He had only featured in 24 matches since joining Spurs in 2020.
Chris Mepham (CB): The Wales rock should handle any difficulties at the World Cup
Mepham should be able to handle any difficult situation at the World Cup after enduring a rocky campaign with Bournemouth. The Wales star has produced some rock-solid displays and great tackles at the Cherries. But the Premier League side have faced many challenges.
Ben Davies (CB): The Tottenham star was pivotal in Wales’ qualifying success
Davies proved to be pivotal in Wales’ win over Ukraine in the UEFA Path A play-off in June. The Tottenham defender produced some superb last-ditch tackles to weather the Blue and Yellow storm. He also led from the back to keep his teammates in check to the last whistle.
Neco Williams (LB): Page will hope to see the Forest star that shone vs Ukraine
Page will hope to see the same star that shone against Ukraine when Williams plays at the Qatar World Cup. The 21-year-old was superb as he blitzed the left-hand channel to put in an impactful defensive display. He then left Liverpool to join Nottingham Forest for £17m.
Joe Allen (CM): Page has announced the injury-hit Swansea star is in Wales’ squad
Page has announced that Allen is in Wales’ 26-man squad for the Qatar World Cup. But the 32-year-old has not played for Swansea since September 17 after he sustained a hamstring injury. He is doing all he can to overcome the setback that prevented his return in October.
Ethan Ampadu (CM): Page is taking a versatile option to the World Cup
Page is taking a versatile option in Ampadu to Qatar in Wales’ squad for the World Cup. He can offer Cymru a body at full-back, is enjoying consistent minutes in Serie A at centre-half and has featured regularly as a holding midfielder on the international scene over 37 caps.
Gareth Bale (RAM): The LAFC forward will look to lead Wales out of Group B
Bale will try to lead Wales out of, at least, Group B when Page’s squad tackle Cymru’s first World Cup in 64 years. The LAFC forward led by example during their qualifying campaign, at Euro 2020 and delivered crucial performances during their semi-final run at Euro 2016.
Aaron Ramsey (LAM): The Nice midfielder pushed Wales into the play-offs
Ramsey pushed Wales on to secure a play-off spot with three goals and an assist over their final four 2022 World Cup qualifiers. He continued to get into dangerous areas in the play-offs, as well. But his most important moments came from setting the tone from the centre.
Kieffer Moore (ST): Page will want to see him deliver at another major tournament
Page will want Moore to deliver at another major tournament after announcing the striker in Wales’ World Cup squad. The Bournemouth star played four times during Euro 2020 and scored once. He got Cymru level to draw 1-1 with Switzerland in their first group stage tie.
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