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. 

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.

By Gareth James Wales defender Connor Roberts will fulfil his World Cup 2022 ambition less than a year after fearing he would not survive a severe bout of pneumonia. Roberts was hospitalised last December and the situation was so grave that his wife Georgina was given no guarantee that the 27-year-old would pull through. “I […]

By Paul Jones Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey admits that he would love to have seen his “ultimate hero” Neville Southall play in a World Cup. Despite Southall’s sustained brilliance during a 92-cap international career that spanned 15 years, Wales did not make it to the global showcase, highlighted by agonising near-misses for the 1986 and […]

Daniel James says he owes his World Cup place to his late father Kevan and will be thinking about him when Wales start their tournament on Monday. James’ father Kevan died suddenly at the age of 60 in May 2019, just as the winger was on the verge of joining Manchester United from Swansea in a £15m transfer. “It’s down to him that I’m playing here today,” said James, whose father came from Aberdare in the Cynon Valley.

Welsh football fans will hope to raise a glass to honour the players out in Qatar next week, but admirers of Joe Ledley can start now. The former Wales star and legendary fans’ favourite will be guest of honour at a wine-tasting through sport event in Penarth on Wednesday night. Hosted by the Speakeasy Club at Old Penarthians Rugby Club, former Cardiff City, Celtic and Crystal Palace midfielder Ledley will be chatting about his memories of Wales’ unforgettable march to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 as well as his time with those three famous clubs.

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.

By Gareth James Rob Page believes he can turn the Wales v England World Cup showdown into a scrap with Gareth Southgate to see who’s king of the desert. Wales manager Page and his England counterpart will meet in Qatar on November 29 in the final round of matches in Group B. By that stage, […]

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 […]