World Cup 2022 Team Preview - Wales

Wales' odds to win the World Cup

150/1

Best World Cup

Quarter-final 1958 

2018 World Cup

Did not qualify

Wales' World Cup Schedule

• Read a full Group B summary here

Road to Qatar

Losing their opening qualifying game 3-1 in Belgium was not unexpected for Wales, but added extra significance to their subsequent 1-0 home success against Czech Republic, who were their main rivals for a play-off spot. A 2-2 draw in Prague kept the Welsh in the driving seat, while 6 wins plus their 1-1 home draw with Belgium proved enough to pip the Czechs by a point. All that earned them home advantage in the playoff stages, and they took advantage with three Gareth Bale goals inspiring them to a 2-1 win over Austria and a tense 1-0 victory over Ukraine, to take the Welsh to their first World Cup finals since 1958.

Recent form

Those playoff wins aside, Wales have suffered a dip in form this year, and their Nations League campaign has perhaps given them an indication of what to expect in Qatar. Their six competitive games produced just one drawn point, and that needed a late goal to grab a 1-1 draw at home to Belgium. They lost the return fixture 2-1, and were defeated home and away by both Poland and Netherlands, although the Welsh will gain some comfort from the fact that all five defeats in their first League A campaign against strong opposition were by a solitary one-goal margin, suggesting that the overall foundations are in place to be competitive at the World Cup finals.

Wales World Cup squad

Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey (Nottingham Forest), Danny Ward (Leicester City), Adam Davies (Sheffield Utd).

Defenders: Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest), Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur), Ben Cabango (Swansea City), Joe Rodon (Rennes, on loan from Spurs), Chris Mepham (Bournemouth), Ethan Ampadu (Spezia, on loan from Chelsea), Chris Gunter (AFC Wimbledon), Connor Roberts (Burnley), Tom Lockyer (Luton Town).

Midfielders: Aaron Ramsey (Nice), Joe Allen (Swansea City), Harry Wilson (Fulham), Joe Morrell (Portsmouth), Dylan Levitt (Dundee Utd), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff City), Jonny Williams (Swindon Town), Matthew Smith (MK Dons), Sorba Thomas (Huddersfield Town).

Forwards: Gareth Bale (LA FC), Dan James (Fulham, on loan from Leeds Utd), Kieffer Moore (Bournemouth), Mark Harris (Cardiff City), Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest).

Team Insights

Probable formation: 3-4-3. Since Ryan Giggs stepped down, coach Robert Page has tried various line-ups, but is likely to stick with the back three option which worked effectively in the playoff success against Ukraine. That set-up offers width across a middle four, and crucially should allow Gareth Bale free licence to roam between the lines, where he should find some space behind Kiefer Moore, whose ability to spearhead a one-man attack is likely to earn a starting place. It goes without saying that Bale will need to lead from the front and score goals, but Wales have proved in qualifying that they are more than a one-man band. Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen will provide experience, stability and creativity in the middle of the park, while Daniel James should offer pace and width down either flank. Page has proven top-tier defenders at his disposal, but the lack of a clean sheet in five outings since qualifying will mean that either Wayne Hennessy or Danny Ward will have a crucial role to play between the sticks.

World Cup prospects

Wales got a taste for big tournament knock-out football at the 2016 Euros, and there is no reason to suggest they won't be capable of emerging from Group B. They won't be scared of an out-of-sorts England, while they will certainly enter their games against USA and Iran with high expectations. Beyond that, a last-16 clash against Senegal or the Netherlands awaits, and that might be a bridge too far for the Welsh, but it would be a brave person who writes them off. Best hope: Last 16, but never underestimate them

Read more about each of Wales’ Group B opponents:

USA, Iran, England