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.

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.

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 […]

Gareth Bale has handed Wales a massive World Cup boost by declaring himself 100 per cent fit for the tournament in Qatar. Skipper Bale’s fitness has been a source of major concern ahead of Wales’ first appearance at the finals for 64 years. The 33-year-old has played just half an hour of football since completing his first 90 minutes for over a year in Wales’ Nations League defeat to Poland in September.

Robert Page admits he is poised for a highly stressful weekend as his Wales players go into final action for their clubs just three days before the squad flies to Qatar. The Wales manager will have his fingers crossed that players in action across the Premier League and Football League come through unscathed. Having named Wales’ first World Cup squad for 64 years, Page now has an anxious time in store with his players involved in the final club action before the tournament.

By Graham Thomas Wales will be playing at their first World Cup since 1958 when they head to Qatar next week. Manager Robert Page showed plenty of loyalty and had few surprises up his sleeve when he named his 26-man squad on Wednesday night. Here are the players the Red Wall will get behind in […]

Wales manager Robert Page insists he has no worries over the fitness of Gareth Bale after naming him as World Cup captain – but admits the selection of Joe Allen is much more of a gamble. Page has named a squad of 26 the tournament in Qatar that shows few, if any, surprises, but reflects his faith in the group of players who have overturned 64 years of history in a successful qualification campaign. Bale is there as skipper, even though there are still doubts voiced by the man himself over how near full fitness he is after a stop-start period in the United States with Los Angeles FC.

Wales manager Robert Page has insisted Gareth Bale will wear a OneLove armband at the World Cup in Qatar – regardless of any threatened FIFA sanctions. Page has said the stance taken is one agreed by the players, including captain Bale, as well as the Football Association of Wales’ staff. Both Wales and England’s association officials have written to FIFA requesting they be allowed to wear the armbands in Qatar, but no reply has yet been forthcoming.

By Gareth James Former Wales manager Brian Flynn has paid tribute to John Toshack, for sowing the seeds that helped Wales’ incredible rise, from perennial underachievers to consistent major tournament appearances. To start the countdown to the World Cup, S4C will show a special film directed by Jonny Owen, called Cewri Cwpan y Byd (World […]

Gareth Bale has been told by World Cup chiefs to leave his “One Love” captain’s armband in the dressing room. Wales captain Bale and his England counterpart Harry Kane were both planning to wear the rainbow-coloured armbands in Qatar when they lead out their respective countries at the tournament. It was intended to send a message against discrimination of any kind at a host country which has repressive laws that make same-sex relationships a criminal offence.