Wales’ selection for the 2022 World Cup ended a 64-year wait to return to international football’s biggest stage.
Rob Page will lead Wales in their most successful return to competitive football in eight years in Qatar.
Led by Chris Coleman, Wales reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016 before reaching the last 16 of Euro 2020 under Page’s interim leadership.
However, a return to the World Cup is a distinct possibility for Page and his team as they aim to emulate John Charles and co from 1958.
Wales World Cup 2022 squad
Page has adopted a club-side mentality while in charge of Wales with the former defender named as Ryan Giggs’ permanent replacement in June.
Likewise, there are some big surprises within his final 26-man squad for Qatar 2022, which includes many stars from the past decade.
Gareth Bale, of course, has grabbed the headlines, with Page insisting he has no concerns about the MLS star’s fitness.
Included are established stars such as Wayne Hennessey, Joe Allen, Aaron Ramsey, Dan James, Chris Gunter and Ben Davies. There are also promising young players, such as Harry Wilson, Ethan Ampadu and Brennan Johnson.
| Position | No. | Player | Club | Age | Caps | 2022 World Cup Qualifiers |
| GK | 1 | Wayne Hennessey | Nottingham Forest (ENG) | 35 | 106 | 3 |
| GK | 12 | Danny Ward | Leicester City (ENG) | 29 | 26 | 8 |
| GK | 21 | Adam Davies | Sheffield United (ENG) | 30 | 3 | 0 |
| DEF | 15 | Ethan Ampadu | Spezia (ITA) | 22 | 37 | 8 |
| DEF | 5 | Chris Mepham | Bournemouth (ENG) | 24 | 33 | 8 |
| DEF | 4 | Ben Davies | Tottenham (SCO) | 29 | 74 | 6 |
| DEF | 2 | Chris Gunter | Wimbledon (ENG) | 33 | 109 | 4 |
| DEF | 14 | Connor Roberts | Burnley (ENG) | 27 | 41 | 8 |
| DEF | 6 | Joe Rodon | Rennes (FRA) | 24 | 30 | 8 |
| DEF | 3 | Neco Williams | Nottingham Forest (ENG) | 21 | 23 | 7 |
| DEF | 24 | Ben Cabango | Swansea City (WAL) | 22 | 5 | 0 |
| DEF | 17 | Tom Lockyer | Luton Town (ENG) | 27 | 14 | 0 |
| DEF | 25 | Ruben Colwill | Swansea City (ENG) | 20 | 7 | 1 |
| MID | 7 | Joe Allen | Swansea City (WAL) | 32 | 72 | 9 |
| MID | 10 | Aaron Ramsey | Nice (FRA) | 31 | 75 | 6 |
| MID | 8 | Harry Wilson | Fulham (ENG) | 25 | 39 | 8 |
| MID | 18 | Jonny Williams | Swindon Town (ENG) | 29 | 33 | 3 |
| MID | 16 | Joe Morrell | Portsmouth (ENG) | 25 | 30 | 8 |
| MID | 26 | Matthew Smith | MK Dons (ENG) | 22 | 19 | 0 |
| MID | 23 | Dylan Levitt | Dundee United (So) | 21 | 13 | 0 |
| MID | 22 | Sorba Thomas | Huddersfield Town (ENG) | 23 | 6 | 2 |
| FWD | 11 | Gareth Bale | Los Angeles FC (USA) | 33 | 108 | 7 |
| FWD | 20 | Daniel James | Fulham (ENG) | 24 | 38 | 10 |
| FWD | 13 | Kieffer Moore | Bournemouth (ENG) | 30 | 28 | 6 |
| FWD | 9 | Brennan Johnson | Nottingham Forest (ENG) | 21 | 15 | 6 |
| FWD | 19 | Mark Harris | Cardiff City (WAL) | 23 | 5 | 3 |
Wales’ Best Players, Strengths and Weaknesses
Page’s final squad includes many of the players who helped Wales qualify for Euro 2016 and Euro 2020.
However, this latest group has some young talents who could make a name for themselves in Qatar in the coming weeks.
STARS
Gareth Bale is the headline act for Wales, although the fact he has only started twice for LAFC in the 2022 MLS season will be a concern, with Page clearly unsure how fit the 33-year-old forward will be.
Aaron Ramsey usually reserves his best for his country these days, and his experience of major tournaments will boost the likes of promising attacking midfielder Harry Wilson and Leeds United winger Dan James.
At the back, Tottenham Hotspur’s Ben Davies and 33-year-old Chris Gunter have plenty of nous, as does goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, who has over 100 caps for his country.
POWERS
There’s a resilience about Wales that makes them a tough nut to crack. The Euro 2020 semi-finalists finished four points ahead of the Czech Republic, losing their opening game to Belgium, and remained unbeaten in Group E in World Cup qualifying. They then showed great spirit to defeat Austria and Ukraine in the playoffs.
Then, of course, there’s Bale – the man who scored all three goals while successfully navigating the playoff rounds. The former Real Madrid star is a true inspiration when playing for his country.
WEAKNESS
Well, the opposite, depending on the vine.
Wales scored 17 goals in their 10 qualifying games in Group E and the play-offs, with Bale responsible for six of them. Aaron Ramsey, who he once wasn’t, scored three runs.
The pressing question for Wales is this: if Bale isn’t quite as sharp, and Ramsey’s best days are behind him, where will the goals come from in these finals?