Elliot Kear will emulate Whitchurch High School classmate Sam Warburton by leading Wales at the Rugby League World Cup. Kear heads a 24-strong squad named by men’s head coach, John Kear, for the tournament in England – nothing up another success for the Cardiff school.

Wales are planning talks with Los Angeles FC to make sure Gareth Bale is in peak condition for the World Cup. Skipper Bale completed 90 minutes for the first time in over 12 months on Sunday as Wales suffered relegation from the top tier of the Nations League by losing 1-0 to Poland in Cardiff. The former Real Madrid star almost equalised in stoppage time when his header struck the crossbar.

Robert Page insists relegation from the top tier of the Nations League on Sunday is softened by the prospect of looking forward to Wales’ first World Cup since 1958 in two months’ time. A 1-0 defeat to Poland in Cardiff on Sunday night condemned Page’s men to finishing bottom of a group also containing Belgium and the Netherlands. Wales’ four Nations League games in June were split either side of a vital World Cup qualifying play-off against Ukraine, which forced Page to rest a number of key players for their 2-1 defeat in Poland to start the group.

Wayne Hennessey says Wales are heading to Qatar to win the World Cup – but firstly they want to get the Nations League job done against Poland. Wales will end a 64-year wait to play at the World Cup in November, making their first finals appearance since 1958 when they were beaten by Brazil in the last eight. They will play in the same group as England, Iran and the United States, with bookmakers having them around 150-1 outsiders to win the trophy.

Gareth Bale is determined to ensure Wales don’t follow England out of the Nations League trap door. Wales must beat Poland at home on Sunday evening to remain in League A of the biennial competition. Bale has not played 90 minutes since a World Cup qualifier against Estonia last September, but the Wales captain has declared himself fit for the must-win contest at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Robert Page insists Wales will forget about the World Cup on Sunday to try and stay in the top tier of the Nations League. Wales remain bottom of League A4 after losing 2-1 to Belgium on Thursday. But Poland’s 2-0 home defeat to Holland means Wales can climb off the bottom by beating the Poles in Cardiff on Sunday.

Rob Page says World Cup-bound Wales are already feeling the benefits of Gareth Bale’s move to the United States Bale joined MLS side Los Angeles FC this summer after his trophy-laden nine-year spell at Real Madrid came to an end. The 33-year Wales captain had previously been linked with a shock move to Sky Bet Championship club Cardiff, with national-team boss Page having said that Bale joining his hometown team “ticks all the boxes”.

By David Williams Gareth Bale has debuted for his new Major League team, Los Angeles Football Club, as the side triumphed over Nashville Soccer Club 2-1. Bale was unveiled by Los Angeles FC earlier in the month, having agreed to a one-year deal which will help his preparations for Wales’ World Cup finals appearance in […]

Gareth Bale will spend three months living the American dream – before proving a World Cup nightmare for England. That’s the bold prediction of Bale’s long-term Wales teammate Joe Allen, who believes his national captain’s move to the MLS is already re-energising Bale’s career. Allen – who has also switched clubs this summer from Stoke City back to Swansea – reckons jettisoned Real Madrid star Bale’s move to Los Angeles FC has given the Wales skipper a new lease of life.

By David Williams Gareth Bale has revealed he is aiming to continue to represent Wales beyond this winter’s World Cup, with Euro 2024 a goal and even the 2026 World Cup a possibility. There had been suggestions Bale could retire after Qatar 2022 and that his 12-month contract at Los Angeles FC could be his […]

Gareth Bale has told Los Angeles FC he will see them soon in a message posted as it was announced the Wales captain is joining the Major League Soccer club. After weeks of speculation – that included the always seemingly unlikely idea that he might move from Real Madrid to play in the Championship for Cardiff City – Bale has opted to play in the United States as he prepares to lead Wales into the World Cup in Qatar later this year. The five-time Champions League winner is soon to be a free agent and is looking for a new club ahead of playing for Wales at the World Cup , which starts in November.

Gareth Bale has excited Cardiff fans by visiting the Sky Bet Championship club’s Vale of Glamorgan base on their first day of pre-season training. Bale has been linked with a move to his hometown club following the end of his nine-year stay at Real Madrid. The five-time Champions League winner is a free agent and […]