A look at the country’s demographics, football history and its squad status prior to the Qatar World Cup 2022.
Number of inhabitants: approx. 3.2 million.
Continent: Europe
Confederation: UEFA
National Football Association: FAW
Number of members: around 90,000. (2.8% of total population)
International trophies won: /
Best World Cup result: Quarter-finals in 1958.
Key Players
In the past: Ian Rush, Craig Bellamy, Gary Speed, Ryan Giggs, Mark Hughes, Neville Southall.
Key current players: Williams, Ampadu, Johnson, James, Moore.
Coach, formation and possible lineup
Coach: Rob Page. (since 2020)
Typical formation: 3-4-2-1 or 3-5-2
Possible lineup:
- GK: Wayne Hennessey (Nottingham Forest) 35
- LCB: Chris Mepham (Bournemouth) 24
- RCB: Rhys Norrington (Sheffield United) 23
- CB: Joe Rodon (Stade Rennais) 24
- LM: Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest) 21
- RM: Connor Roberts (Burnley) 27
- CM: Matt Smith (MK Dons) 22
- CM: Ethan Ampadu (Spezia) 22
- ACM: Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest) 21
- ACM: Daniel James (Fulham) 24
- ST: Kieffer Moore (Bournemouth) 30
Age Report
Players aged 25 or under in the current lineup: 8
Players aged 32 or over in the current lineup: 1
One player in this lineup will (most likely) be playing their last World Cup this year: Hennessey.
There are 8 players in this lineup that can play (at least) two more.
The remaining 2 players (Roberts and Moore) could play in one (or two in case of Roberts) more World Cups.
Youngest player: Neco Williams, born 13 April 2001 (21)
Oldest player: Wayne Hennessey, born 24 January 1987 (35)
Average squad age: 24.8
World Cup Qatar – Group B
Fixtures:
Monday 21 November USA vs Wales
Friday 25 November Wales vs Iran
Tuesday 29 November Wales vs England
Our view:
There was a time when Wales was regarded as a team that could not make it past the qualification stage for a big tournament. A time when they had a player called Ryan Giggs, and everyone felt sorry for him because the difference in quality between him and the rest of the team was just too big. That all has changed in recent years. Due to the increased quality of players at their disposal. But most definitely due to the fact that Wales had a real superstar in Gareth Bale. Now facing his football retirement, Bale will be looking to inspire his teammates for one final grand performance. Against neighbors England, no extra motivation will be needed. In the post-Bale era, it will be interesting to see whether Wales will once again struggle to qualify. Until the emergence of another superstar, perhaps.
