Wales will be playing their first FIFA tournament since 1958; they have been absent for more than half a century. They are one of the few teams in this edition of the world cup who have waited for more than one generation of players and the men who have made it to the group stages won’t just be settling as a mere tough opponent.
This winter they certainly will have the spirit to go beyond knockouts and would even do their best to stay as long as they could. But who are their best among the best; what will their top 26 preferences look like? Let’s discuss that in the analysis below.
Wales Squad For The FIFA World Cup 2022 Games In Qatar
| Position | Player | Club | Age | Caps | 2022 World Cup Qualifiers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Wayne Hennessey | Nottingham Forest (ENG) | 35 | 106 | 3 |
| Goalkeeper | Danny Ward | Leicester City (ENG) | 29 | 26 | 8 |
| Goalkeeper | Adam Davies | Sheffield United (ENG) | 30 | 3 | 0 |
| Defender | Ethan Ampadu | Spezia (ITA) | 22 | 37 | 8 |
| Defender | Chris Mepham | Bournemouth (ENG) | 24 | 33 | 8 |
| Defender | Ben Davies | Tottenham (SCO) | 29 | 74 | 6 |
| Defender | Chris Gunter | Wimbledon (ENG) | 33 | 109 | 4 |
| Defender | Connor Roberts | Burnley (ENG) | 27 | 41 | 8 |
| Defender | Joe Rodon | Rennes (FRA) | 24 | 30 | 8 |
| Defender | Neco Williams | Nottingham Forest (ENG) | 21 | 23 | 7 |
| Defender | Ben Cabango | Swansea City (WAL) | 22 | 5 | 0 |
| Defender | Tom Lockyer | Luton Town (ENG) | 27 | 14 | 0 |
| Midfielder | Joe Allen | Swansea City (WAL) | 32 | 72 | 9 |
| Midfielder | Aaron Ramsey | Nice (FRA) | 31 | 75 | 6 |
| Midfielder | Harry Wilson | Fulham (ENG) | 25 | 39 | 8 |
| Midfielder | Jonny Williams | Swindon Town (ENG) | 29 | 33 | 3 |
| Midfielder | Joe Morrell | Portsmouth (ENG) | 25 | 30 | 8 |
| Midfielder | Matthew Smith | MK Dons (ENG) | 22 | 19 | 0 |
| Midfielder | Dylan Levitt | Dundee United (So) | 21 | 13 | 0 |
| Midfielder | Ruben Colwill | Swansea City (ENG) | 20 | 7 | 1 |
| Midfielder | Sorba Thomas | Huddersfield Town (ENG) | 23 | 6 | 2 |
| Forward | Gareth Bale | Los Angeles FC (USA) | 33 | 108 | 7 |
| Forward | Daniel James | Fulham (ENG) | 24 | 38 | 10 |
| Forward | Kieffer Moore | Bournemouth (ENG) | 30 | 28 | 6 |
| Forward | Brennan Johnson | Nottingham Forest (ENG) | 21 | 15 | 6 |
| Forward | Mark Harris | Cardiff City (WAL) | 23 | 5 | 3 |
The Possible Best 11 For Wales
Since day one of their European qualifiers phase, Wales have mostly gone with a 3-4-3 formation and they do like to have more options at the midfield.
At the very back, the Dragons have mostly trusted Nottingham Forest’s Wayne Hennessey for the shot-stopping duty. So far he has been largely guarded by Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, and Ben Davies in the defending position.
In the middle, Wales is generally at their best with the presence of Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen, Connor Roberts, and Neco Williams.
Five times Champions League winner Gareth Bale is not to miss if Wales wants to be a formidable force heading into Qatar. He likewise will have the best support in the front with the help of Daniel James and Brennan Johnson.
So that’s
Hennessey (GK)
Ampaudu, Rodon, Ben (Def)
Ramsey, Allen, Roberts, Williams (MF)
Bale, Wilson, Johnson (FW)
Who Else Are In The Wales Group?
Wales is in group B of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and will be facing the neighboring country England, the USA, and Iran.
Wales Fixtures In The Group Stage (UK Time)
USA v Wales (Monday, November 21 – 7 pm)
Wales v Iran (Friday, November 25 – 10 am)
Wales v England (Tuesday, November 29 – 7 pm)
Wales May Not Be Quitting That Easily
One will only be a fool if they think getting past the group stages will be the best Wales could do in FIFA 2022. The thing about underdogs such as Wales is that they relish every initial game they are set against until every tournament watchers see them feuding against the competition’s giants like they did back in the Euro 2016.
Wales Strengths
Wales is one of the best teams who can show perpetual stubbornness around their penalty box. They moreover are happy to sit back and chase the ball for as long as they could. And teams like these do love to hit the opponent on the break.
To drive the ball forward, they have the lightning pace and accelerating pace of not one but two forces, Bale and James. Each of the two operating in the flanks is certain to free up the spaces in the middle thereby giving their poacher Moore more promising chances to convert when he is near the opposition’s goalpost. Speaking of chances to score, their star man, Bale provides an even greater goal threat to literally any team in the tournament.
Ramsey’s years of experience playing in the Premier League will definitely give confidence in the midfield and looking at his history he may even provide additional legs for the attack.
Wales Weaknesses
While they can exceed expectations at the bigger level, statistically they do not have that good of a record against the heavyweights.
