Brennan Johnson insists Wales can shock England and keep their World Cup dream alive. Wales’ hopes of making the knockout stages were left hanging by a thread after losing 2-0 to Iran. England’s goalless draw with the United States on Friday night means that Wales still have a path to the round of 16, but qualification is out of their own hands unless they beat Gareth Southgate’s side by a four-goal margin.

It must have felt a long way from Tylorstown as Robert Page starred out towards the world’s media and tried to explain how the heady optimism of just 16 ago had evaporated under a hot Arabian sun. Little more than two weeks ago, the Wales manager was in his home village, announcing the squad he would take to take to a World Cup finals, the first Wales manager to do so for 64 years. Now, that adventure already seems to drawing to a close after just two games following a 2-0 to Iran which was unexpected, but felt feasible from the moment Kieffer Moore missed an early opportunity.

By Graham Thomas Kieffer Moore can terrify Iran when Wales play their second match at the World Cup in Qatar on Friday. That’s the prediction of former Wales striker Iwan Roberts, who was once a similar big, powerful target man for both club and country and became a folk hero at Norwich City. Moore is […]

By Graham Thomas Jac Morgan has been tipped as a future contender for the role of Wales captain by former Wales coach Mike Ruddock. Morgan has been one of the few shafts of light in a dark autumn for coach Wayne Pivac, whose team end their November catalogue against Australia on Saturday. Ospreys flanker Morgan, […]

By Graham Thomas Wayne Pivac is a former copper, so he knows the law. And the law is this: There is only one thing that protects a national rugby or football coach through the tough times – results. A coach can be the shrewdest man-manager, he can schmooze the media, or play a clever political […]

By David Williams Winning your first cap for Wales is always a great moment but for Josh Macleod it was extra special. The 26-year-old has overcome numerous injury setbacks to finally achieve his dream of playing for Wales. Back in 2021 the Scarlets openside was selected to start for Wales against Scotland at Murrayfield but […]

By Paul Jones Wales striker Kieffer Moore plans to torment Iran in the air just like England did. England smashed six past Iran in their World Cup opener, with the Iranians having no answer to the Three Lions’ aerial power. The 6ft 5in Moore watched the first half of that game before Wales set off […]

By Graham Thomas Ben Davies is part of the Wales squad chasing World Cup glory out in Qatar, but the Tottenham Hotspur star also wants to inspire the next generation. Davies – still only 29 years old, but already one of the most experienced players in Welsh football – is a huge advocate of young […]

By Paul Jones Harry Wilson has praised Neco Williams’ “courage and bravery” for playing in Wales’ World Cup opener on Monday following the death of his grandfather. Williams’ grandfather died on Sunday and the Nottingham Forest full-back shared the sad news on social media after playing in Wales’ 1-1 draw against the United States. “Yesterday […]

By David Williams Neil Jenkins insists Wales are desperate to right the wrongs of their Georgia defeat against Australia on Saturday. Wales will be hoping to end their Autumn Nations Series on a high against a dangerous Wallabies outfit at the Principality Stadium but will have to significantly improve. And Wales skills coach Jenkins is […]

By Carl Field Welsh Gymnastics are reflecting on more success at the recent 2022 Northern European Championships in Jyväskylä, Finland. The Welsh Artistic gymnasts returned home with five medals, including a gold in the Women’s Team event. The women’s team of Mia Evans (Park Wrekin), Abigail Roper (Pipers Vale) along with Clwb Cymru quartet Jea […]

Since it had been 64 years since Wales were last at a World Cup, Robert Page could have been forgiven for being sketchy about their tournament form. The Wales manager didn’t go for Ivor Allchurch and Terry Medwin up front, but, strangely, he did appear to forget the impact Kieffer Moore has had on his team over the past couple of seasons and the anxiety his presence causes opponents. It meant that Moore did not appear until the second half at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, where his eventual presence against the USA transformed Welsh fortunes – and the match – and enabled Page and his players to leave with a priceless 1-1 draw.

Gareth Bale believes Wales can inspire a grateful nation of schoolchildren when they play their first match at a World Cup finals for 64 years on Monday. The Wales captain was in an emotional and reflective mood when he sat in front of the world’s media at the team’s pre-match press conference in Doha, 24 hours before they face the USA at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. It is a match of enormous historic significance and the fact that youngsters across Wales have been given time off their lessons to watch on TV was not lost on Bale, who has spent 17 years in the squad since being first capped as a 16-year-old.

Ben Cabango thought back to playing with his brother Theo in their garden. “Me and him just always used to get at it,” he said. “Looking back now, it’s just good times.” The stakes are vastly larger these days. Ben Cabango is the 22-year-old Swansea City defender preparing for Wales’ first World Cup game in 64 years, against the United States on Monday. 

It’s not up to me, guv. That was the gist of Wayne Pivac’s reaction to arguably the most embarrassing defeat in the history of Welsh international rugby. Four months ago, the Wales national coach was being hailed for achieving something no predecessor had even managed – a Test victory over the Springboks in South Africa.

Joe Allen has been backed by Joe Ledley to defy medical predictions – and help guide Wales on another major tournament adventure. Swansea City midfielder Allen has given Wales fans a major boost by taking part in training in Qatar after two months sidelined with a hamstring injury. If he proves fit ahead of his country’s World Cup opener against the USA on Monday – a match that is live on S4C – it will revive memories of Ledley’s miracle comeback from a broken leg at Euro 2016.

Wayne Hennessey’s arms are huge enough to wrap around Gareth Bale every time Welsh football’s biggest bromance is re-ignited at the team hotel. But can those arms – which give the Wales captain an enormous bear hug in countless social media clips – keep out the world’s best strikers in Qatar? The Wales goalkeeper certainly thinks so and that’s good news for anyone thinking of backing him in the markets for keeping clean sheets in the group stages at the World Cup.

Welsh horse racing has been backed to provide a major economic impact over the next year, despite the difficult financial outlook. The success of race meetings held across Wales, along with individual achievements by owners, trainers and jockeys based in Wales has been highlighted by a group of Senedd members in Cardiff Bay. They heard from representatives of the Cross Party Group on Horse Racing who have stressed the vital importance of the industry.

Taulupe Faletau has never been short of belief in Wales – so he reckons this could be a big month for the rugby and football teams. Asked how he thinks Robert Page’s men might do at the World Cup in Qatar, the Wales No.8 says: “Well, hopefully, they’ll bring it back! “You have to have a bit of belief along the way. They left from the Vale (Resort) and we were around so we gave them a little wave to show our support.”

By Graham Thomas So, just who is the greatest Welsh footballer of all time? Gareth Bale or John Charles? Or maybe it’s Ryan Giggs, the owner of most medals. Or perhaps your vote goes to Neville Southalll, gloved guardian of the goalmouth for 16 years. Or maybe there’s a quirky preference out there among the […]