Few surprises as Page names Wales squad for FIFA World Cup

LONDON - Wales coach Robert Page named his 26-man squad for the FIFA World Cup finals on Wednesday evening with few surprises.

The squad will be led by Gareth Bale, who scored for Los Angeles Galaxy at the weekend to ease any injury fears.

"I'm not really bothered how fit Gareth Bale is. He's come off the back of scoring a really important goal for LA, he's back in the country and he's fit," said Page at his press conference.

"Every time he turns up for us, he's always delivered, so I have no worries whatsoever," Page added.

The list includes other players, such as Fulham winger Harry Wilson, Nottingham Forest winger Neco Williams, Bournemouth's towering striker Kieffer Moore, Leeds United winger Dan James, the experienced Aaron Ramsey, and Joe Rodon, who is on loan at Rennes from Tottenham.

Other players such as Sorba Thomas (Huddesfield), Jonny Williams (Swindon Town), Ruben Colwill and Joe Morrell (Ipswich Town) and Connor Roberts (Burnley) play in lower categories of the English game, with Williams, playing in League Two - the fourth tier.

Swansea City's former Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen is also included in the squad, despite struggles to overcome a hamstring injury.

"We're going to throw everything at him to give him the best opportunity of getting in the first game. He's been involved with Wales for years and he's really important to how we want to play," said Page about the 32-year-old, who has made 72 appearances for Wales.

Wales qualified for Qatar 2022 after beating Austria and Ukraine in the playoffs and are drawn into Group B with England, the United States and Iran. Their first game is against the United States on November 21.

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey, Danny Ward, Adam Davies.

Defenders: Ben Davies, Ben Cabango, Tom Lockyer, Joe Rodon, Chris Mepham, Ethan Ampadu, Chris Gunter, Neco Williams, Connor Roberts.

Midfielders: Sorba Thomas, Joe Allen, Matthew Smith, Dylan Levitt, Harry Wilson, Joe Morrell, Jonny Williams, Aaron Ramsey, Ruben Colwill.

Forwards: Gareth Bale, Kieffer Moore, Mark Harris, Brennan Johnson, Dan James.