Wales captain Aaron Ramsey has been left out of Craig Bellamy’s 26-man squad for the final two Group J World Cup qualifying matches.
Ramsey was recalled after 13 months away from the national team during the October international break, but has not been selected for Wales’ games against Liechtenstein and North Macedonia later this month.
Despite his long-awaited return, the 34-year-old midfielder was unable to add to his 86 caps for Wales due to injury, and a 3-0 friendly defeat to England, followed by a 4-2 loss to Belgium, ended his hopes of qualifying for the World Cup.
The former Arsenal midfielder mutually terminated his contract with Mexican club Pumas UNAM after just six games in Central America following the disappearance of his dog and is now reportedly a free agent. However, neither the player nor the club have confirmed the separation yet.
Ramsey has reportedly mutually terminated his contract with Pumas and is now a free agent.
Pumas coach Efrain Juarez declined to address Ramsey’s situation after last weekend’s game, saying: “To be honest, I think the club will provide information about it in due course.”
“For me, he’s unavailable at the moment. He’s still injured so that was definitely not an option for us,” Bellamy told reporters.
“We’re monitoring the progress and seeing what happens then. And see where we stand.”
Asked further about whether Ramsey’s absence could affect his World Cup chances, Bellamy added: “I know this is a difficult time for him and his family at this moment,” referring to his dog’s disappearance.
“I think we’ve all been in that situation at one time or another, and we know how difficult these times are. I’ve been there too. Does anyone have a dog? Have you ever been in a situation like that? It’s the most heartbreaking feeling.
“I mean, he also has a young family and he’s trying to get through that. So at this point, we feel like the best thing for all of us is to keep quiet for a little while.”
The only change to the initial 26-man squad Bellamy named last month was with Cardiff playmaker Rubin Colwill replacing Ramsey.
However, Leeds forward Daniel James, who was forced to withdraw from Wales’ final squad due to injury, has recovered from an ankle problem and has returned to selection. James rejoined Daniel Farke’s side in late October and has since made three substitute appearances for the newly promoted side.
Wales’ Dan James called up after recovering from injury
Ben Davies is also included in Tottenham’s squad despite being sidelined with injury in recent weeks.
Fulham forward Harry Wilson is suspended for the trip to Liechtenstein on November 15, but will be available for the game against North Macedonia in Cardiff three days later.
Wales sit third in Group J, four points behind leaders Belgium, who will automatically qualify if they finish top of the table. North Macedonia have played more games than Wales and are in second place with three points.
Should Wales secure second place, they will secure a place in the UEFA play-offs, with 16 teams competing for four more World Cup spots in a mini-knockout bracket.
Strong Wales squad as Bellamy aims to keep World Cup squad alive
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Bellamy has reacted to reports linking him to vacant position at Celtic
Sky Sports News’ Geraint Hughes analyzes this as follows:
“The goal is still clear: to qualify for the World Cup. Realistically it is no longer possible to achieve that automatically, but it is very possible to go through the play-off route.
“Wales have already qualified for the play-offs thanks to winning their Nations League group stage last year, but a place in the play-off semi-finals at home is not guaranteed. Winning the remaining two World Cup qualifiers and finishing second in Group J would provide us with an even better play-off route. With a place in the semi-finals at home guaranteed, we are likely to face a lower-ranked opponent.”
“Craig Bellamy’s 26-player team is as strong as it can be, apart from one player missing in Aaron Ramsey.
“The 34-year-old’s future, both for club and country, is up in the air, but Bellamy has gone to great lengths to explain why his sole focus now is on the well-being of himself, his wife and children.
“Obviously things are not going well for Ramsey in Pumas, Mexico, but what matters more is his family. A strange and slightly horrifying story has emerged about the mysterious disappearance of a long-time pet dog who was brought to Mexico with his family from England. Sadly, ‘Halo’ has been missing for several weeks and is presumed dead. As Bellamy revealed, the whole situation has left the family shaken up and it’s not a good environment. Sometimes football isn’t.” Important.
“Even without Ramsey, Wales have a strong team. The return of Leeds’ Dan James is a welcome addition and his profile gives us the opportunity to use Bellamy, who not only has his speed and assists but can cause problems in defence, but if he is not marked the opposition will be left exposed in transition and sometimes double attack him, which leaves space elsewhere. Dan James is a welcome returner from injury.”
“Tottenham’s Ben Davies was selected despite not having played a single minute for Spurs since Wales’ last game against Belgium. Davies limped off with a hamstring problem, but Bellamy confirmed that the FAW and Spurs’ medical team have been in talks and that he is fit enough to be selected. “In terms of match fitness Now, Davis is one of the fittest and most intelligent players, so recovery and physical management are not seen as an issue.We expect Davis to play an important role for the team.”Wales certainly captained the team in the final World Cup qualifier against North Macedonia in Cardiff, if not against Liechtenstein.”
Wales full squad
Goalkeeper: Karl Darlow (Leeds United), Adam Davies (Sheffield United), Tom King (Everton)
Defenders: Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur), Jay Dasilva (Coventry City), Chris Mepham (West Bromwich Albion), Ben Cabango (Swansea City), Joe Rodon (Leeds United), Dylan Lawler (Cardiff City), Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest), Ronan Capacchio (Cardiff City)
Midfielders: Ethan Ampadu (Leeds United), Josh Sheehan (Bolton Wanderers), Jordan James (Leicester City, on loan from Stade Rennais), Liam Cullen (Swansea City), Joel Colwill (Cardiff City), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff City).
Forwards: Harry Wilson (Fulham), Nathan Broadhead (Wrexham), Sorva Thomas (Stoke City), Luis Koumas (Birmingham City, on loan from Liverpool), Mark Harris (Oxford United), Kieffer Moore (Wrexham), Brennan Johnson (Tottenham Hotspur), David Brooks (Bournemouth), Dan James (Leeds United).
