Wales names squad for World Cup playoff amid key absences

Wales manager Craig Bellamy has named a 26-man squad for the upcoming World Cup playoff semifinal against Bosnia and Herzegovina, but the team faces significant challenges with the absence of several key players due to injuries and other factors. The match is set for Thursday, March 26, at Cardiff City Stadium, with the winner advancing to face either Italy or Northern Ireland in the final on March 31 at the same venue. Qualification would secure a spot in this summer's tournament in Group B alongside co-hosts Canada, Switzerland, and Qatar.

Among the notable omissions is veteran midfielder Aaron Ramsey, the 35-year-old former Arsenal and Juventus player who has been without a club since departing Mexican side Pumas in December. Ramsey has not featured in first-team football since September 2024 and has been sidelined by injuries, marking his absence from the Wales national team since that same month. Despite expressing a desire to represent Wales at a potential fourth major tournament, his current situation has dimmed those prospects. Ramsey's international career includes a standout performance at Euro 2016, where he helped Wales reach the semifinals and earned a place in...