Robert Page has named a 26-man squad for Wales’ first World Cup in 64 years, with midfielder Joe Allen included despite being a major injury doubt. Gareth Bale captains a team that has no surprise inclusions or omissions. Rhys Norrington-Davies remains out with a hamstring injury and Tom Lockyer has been recalled more than a year since he last played for Wales, while a calf injury rules out striker Tyler Roberts. Wales face the United States in their opening World Cup match on November 21. They are joined in Group B by Iran and England, who name their squads on Thursday.
The Wales team
Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey (Nottingham Forest), Danny Ward (Leicester City), Adam Davies (Stoke City). Defenders: Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest), Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur), Ben Cabango (Swansea City), Joe Rodon (Rennes, loan from Tottenham), Chris Mepham (Bournemouth), Ethan Ampadu (Spezia, loan from Chelsea). ), Chris Gunter (AFC Wimbledon), Connor Roberts (Burnley), Tom Lockyer (Luton Town). Midfielders: Aaron Ramsey (Nice), Joe Allen (Swansea City), Harry Wilson (Fulham), Joe Morrell (Portsmouth), Dylan Levitt (Dundee United), Rubin Colwell (Cardiff City), Jonny Williams (Swindon Town), Matthew Smith (Milton Keynes Dons), Sorba Thomas (Huddersfield Town). Forwards: Gareth Bale (Los Angeles FC), Dan James (Fulham, on loan from Leeds United), Kieffer Moore (Bournemouth), Mark Harris (Cardiff City), Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest). Page had previously said he had already decided on most of the 26 players he would take to Qatar, and that showed in Wednesday’s announcement in his hometown of Taylorstown in the Rhoda Valley as he stuck with a tried and trusted squad. His biggest injury concern is influential midfielder Allen, who is included in the squad despite not featuring for Swansea City since injuring his hamstring in September. Swans manager Russell Martin has confirmed that Allen will not play for the Championship side ahead of the World Cup, but Wales are still hoping the 32-year-old can play some part in Qatar, even if it is not enough able to start against. the United States. “It’s not ideal to be honest but we’re giving him every chance to get him fit to be in the starting line-up for the first game,” Page said. “There are a few other players in a similar boat but Joe has been so important to me overall over the last couple of years, how I want to play and how he sits in front of the back four. “It’s one of those 2016 [European Championship] when they had success and when he played really well, Wales won games. “He’s earned the right to be there again. I spoke to him two days ago and he’s in good spirits and looking forward.” There is better news regarding captain Bale, who was at least playing for his club, Los Angeles FC. However, the 33-year-old said he was “not 100%” fit after scoring a crucial late goal in LAFC’s MLS Cup final win over Philadelphia Union last weekend. Gareth Bale helped LAFC win the MLS Cup for the first time The former Real Madrid man has made just two starts – plus 11 substitute appearances – for LAFC since joining the American club in June. Bale has been integral to Wales’ recent success – they have qualified for three of the last four major tournaments having reached just one before that – and will be their talisman once again at the World Cup. “Ideally would we like him to play more minutes? Of course,” Paige said. “Worried? No, because he’s shown time and time again that, no matter how many minutes he’s played at club level, he always comes in and has important moments in the game, whether it’s a free-kick against Austria or Ukraine. [in the World Cup play-off semi-final and final]. “Big players play for big occasions. Aaron and I have talked about it [Ramsey] in the past – Hungary at home when he got two goals for us – and it’s no different with Gareth. “Opposing managers will look at the team sheet and if they see his name they know at any time he can win a game for you.” ‘I’ve stayed true to the lads who have earned the right to be there’ – Wales boss Rob Page Along with Bale and Allen, goalkeepers Wayne Hennessey and Danny Ward, defenders Ben Davies and Chris Gunter and midfielders Ramsey and Jonny Williams are the players who will represent Wales at a third major competition, having played in the last two European Championships . Nottingham Forest striker Brennan Johnson, Cardiff City forward Mark Harris and Huddersfield Town winger Sorba Thomas will be going to their first major tournament. “The worst part of this job is letting down those who aren’t 26,” Page said. “I haven’t called the others to tell them they’re in, I’d rather they see when [it is announced]. “It will be nice for them to see that, but on the other hand there will always be someone who is disappointed. “I’ve had some uncomfortable conversations – some by injury, some by choice. “We’ve got to go on now and pick the team that’s going to go and fight and go and win us games.”
