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.

By David Williams Wales’ World Cup group opponents Iran are facing a last-ditch attempt to kick them out of the tournament. The Ukrainian Association of Football has called for Iran to be excluded from the World Cup in Qatar. The UAF’s executive committee says it has made a request to global governing body FIFA to […]

Wales will consider changing its name to Cymru on the international stage after the World Cup. Cymru – the Welsh name for Wales – is already used by the Football Association of Wales in its internal and external communications and by staff at the governing body’s headquarters in the Vale of Glamorgan. The FAW plans to speak to various stakeholders in Welsh football about the merit of changing the country’s name in international competition, while the PA news agency can reveal informal discussions have already been held with UEFA on the subject.

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.

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.

By Paul Jones Gemma Grainger believes Wales will use the pain of their heart-breaking World Cup near miss to fuel a successful mission to reach the finals of the 2025 Euros. The head coach admitted Wales’ World Cup exit was “incredibly tough to take” after Switzerland’s last-gasp winner had prevented a penalty shoot-out in Zurich. […]

Joe Allen will not be risked by Swansea City simply to strengthen their chances of extending their hot winning streak to four matches. Swans head coach Russell Martin has insisted Wales midfielder Allen will not be rushed back after his recent absence through injury, which is good news for Wales ahead of next month’s World Cup. After picking up the maximum nine points with consecutive triumphs over Hull, West Brom and Watford, Martin is likely to give Allen another week to recover from his latest hamstring niggle rather than play him against Sunderland at home on Saturday.

Jess Fishlock has told her Wales teammates to be fearless and carefree when they go to Switzerland next week for another step on the road towards their World Cup dream. Fishlock has realised one ambition – scoring a spectacular World Cup play-off winner for Wales against Bosnia and Herzegovina in front of a record Cardiff crowd for a Wales women’s international of 15,200. The 35-year-old midfielder’s extra-time volley gave Wales a 1-0 victory at the Cardiff City Stadium as the Dragons advanced to a European play-off final in Switzerland on Tuesday.

Rubin Colwill is facing a fight to prove his readiness to go to the World Cup with Wales next month. The Cardiff City striker is set to miss two more Bluebirds games this week after a freak training accident ruled him out of last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Burnley. Interim boss Mark Hudson confirmed the Qatar hopeful won’t feature in Tuesday night’s home game against Blackburn Rovers and unless he gets back on the grass this week won’t feature at Wigan this weekend.

Rachel Rowe insists Wales have not finished making history ahead of their first-ever Women’s World Cup play-off tie. Wales host Bosnia and Herzegovina in Cardiff on Thursday, the first of three potential games needed to reach next summer’s World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand. “We’ve made history but we’re not finished,” said Reading midfielder Rowe, who will win her 50th cap against Bosnia.

By Harry Corish Having witnessed Wales’ final match before the World Cup on Sunday night, Red Wall members are now turning their attention to the tournament itself. For some, that means a trip into the unknown in Qatar, while the majority will be watching from home. Whether they are in Doha, or at the fan […]

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.