Wales returned to the World Cup for the first time in 64 years at Qatar 2022. But who can replace Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey in Rob Page’s XI for the next tournament in 2026?
Cymru face being without a host of their star names when the next edition comes around in four years’ time. Bale will turn 37 years old during the 23rd edition of FIFA’s quadrennial competition. Ramsey will also be 35, Joe Allen will be 36 and Wayne Hennessey will be 39.
So, Page near enough faces starting anew with the crop of emerging talents at the Wales boss’ disposal. He also faces doing what no previous Cymru head coach has achieved and lead the nation to two World Cups. They had only played in 1958 before the 2022 edition.
Who can replace Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale in Wales’ 2026 World Cup XI?
Bale as captain and with Ramsey in midfield have been the talisman for Wales over the last decade. The pair have amassed 111 and 78 caps across all competitions respectively. They have also provided 40 and 20 goals each, alongside creating a further 22 and nine to date.
But question marks now reside over the pair’s international careers as the clock ticks down on their playing days. Allen, too, could be at his end of the road for Cymru after 74 caps for two goals and four assists. While Hennessey’s last act could be earning a straight red card.
Hennessey earned the first red card of Qatar 2022 when the goalkeeper clattered through Iran and Porto striker Mehdi Taremi. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) told Mario Escobar to upgrade the 109-cap star’s initial yellow card to a red before Wales went on to lose 2-0.
The defeat left Wales’ hopes of reaching the knockout stages hanging by a thread having earlier rescued a point against the USA with Bale’s 82nd-minute penalty. But England put three past Danny Ward to win 3-0 as Gareth Southgate’s side secured top spot in Group B.
Rob Page will already be targeting Wales’ return to the World Cup in 2026
Now, Page’s attention turns toward Euro 2024 in Germany, eager to see Wales qualify for a third-straight European Championships. They had never qualified for the Euros before the 2016 tournament in France, where they reached the semi-finals and the last 16 in 2020.
But Wales will also have one eye on the next World Cup after Qatar 2022, the 2026 edition in the USA, Mexico and Canada. It is the first of FIFA’s expanded 48 side tournaments – up for the current 32 – and offers Page a chance to build on what Bale and Ramsey achieved.
So, who could replace Bale and Ramsey as the architects of the next Wales squad to make a World Cup? HITC Football takes a look at Page’s potential Cymru XI for the 2026 edition.
George Ratcliffe (GK): Cardiff City star could guard Wales’ net at the 2026 World Cup
George Ratcliffe may envisage himself guarding Wales’ net at the 2026 World Cup in place of Hennessey. The 22-year-old has represented Cymru at Under-17, 19 and 21 levels. He is also now on the cusp of the first-team at Cardiff City with time on his side to impress Page.
Neco Williams (RB): Page must now give the Nottingham Forest man one set role
After using Neco Williams as a left wing-back against the USA and Iran in Qatar, Page used him on the right against England. It has often been the case that the 21-year-old features on either side of the Wales defence. But Page must now give him a set role in his best role.
Joe Rodon (CB): The 2026 World Cup will fuel him to forget Qatar 2022
The next World Cup in 2026 and retaining a place in Wales’ XI will fuel Joe Rodon to forget about Qatar. He did not have a great time in 2022 with the USA pulling the 25-year-old out of position too easily. But the 33-cap Tottenham man on loan to Rennes is key in Page’s XI.
Chris Mepham (CB): Page will have seen promise and problems in Qatar
The USA got less from Chris Mepham than they could against Rodon and the Bournemouth star coped with Iran well. But England took advantage of the 25-year-old’s poor awareness on the turn. He will now hope playing consistent Premier League games helps him in 2026.
Rhys Norrington-Davies (LB): Will his Qatar 2022 snub now help Page in 2026?
Page will hope Rhys Norrington-Davies uses his Qatar 2022 snub as his fuel for Wales’ 2026 World Cup campaign. The left-back has been in the Cymru set-up since 2020 and has often been involved, too. Yet Page then chose to leave the Sheffield United 23-year-old at home.
Ethan Ampadu (CDM): His troubles blighted Wales at Qatar 2022 this winter
Ethan Ampadu has been a big player for Wales since his debut in 2017. Yet the 22-year-old was among Page’s biggest problems at Qatar 2022. The 41-cap Chelsea prospect on loan to Spezia looked overawed by the World Cup and must improve greatly for the 2026 edition.
Dylan Levitt (CDM): Page must now consider the Dundee United star more often
Page must now start to consider moving on from Allen and backing Dundee United’s Dylan Levitt more often. The 13-cap 22-year-old travelled to Qatar 2022 but did not play a single second during the World Cup. Yet he has been in and around the Cymru squad since 2019.
Dan James (RM): Wales will hope he can now fill Bale’s void on the wing
Wales will be resting their hopes of Dan James filling Bale’s void in Page’s XI ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The Fulham forward, on loan from Leeds United, reached 42 caps while in Qatar. Yet he made little impact and has only offered five goals and five assists to date.
David Brooks (CAM): The Bournemouth star can shine again for Wales
David Brooks was the rising star at Bournemouth and in the Wales squad. Yet the 25-year-old has not played for either since September 2021 when he was diagnosed with stage two Hodgkin lymphoma. But doctors gave him the all-clear this May and he is striving to return.
Page will hope the 21-cap midfielder can recapture the magic he displayed for his club and country in the past. Brooks showed he has the skill to be Ramsey’s successor in the Cymru midfield with an array of spirited runs. He also has 17 goals and 12 assists for the Cherries.
Tom Lawrence (LM): Could his Rangers form lead to a recall under Page?
Tom Lawrence has not featured for Wales since March 2021 when the winger earned his 23rd cap. He also only has three goals and no assists during the 28-year-old international appearances. Yet Page may now consider a recall with Lawrence impressing with Rangers.
Since joining the Premiership giants this summer, the Wrexham native has provided three goals and two assists in nine games. His haul includes scoring once against PSV Eindhoven in a Champions League qualifier. He has not played since suffering a knee injury in August.
Mark Harris (ST): Page will hope his time in Qatar was a learning opportunity
Mark Harris was among Wales’ 26-man squad at the World Cup in Qatar but did not play a single second. Page will hope the 23-year-old used it as a learning opportunity for the 2026 edition, then. The Cardiff ace is yet to score for Cymru in five caps since September 2021.
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