Wales captain Aaron Ramsey has been left out of the squad for this month’s World Cup play-offs, casting new doubts over his future in international football kshk.
The 35-year-old has been without a club since leaving Pumas in December, having not played for the Mexican side since September.
That lack of first-team football, combined with injuries, means Ramsey has not played for Wales since September 2024.
The former Arsenal and Juventus midfielder has stated he wants to play for Wales at this year’s World Cup if they qualify, but his hopes of representing his country at a fourth major tournament are now uncertain.
«He hasn’t played competitive football for seven months. He’s not at a club,» Wales manager Craig Bellamy said on Tuesday after announcing his selection. «It (Ramsey’s future) isn’t really for me to talk about. It’s a situation that I’m sure will resolve itself.»
Ben Davies has managed Wales in Ramsey’s absence. However, with the Tottenham defender injured, Fulham attacking midfielder Harry Wilson is likely to captain the side in the play-off semi-final against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Cardiff on March 26.
READ ALSO: Iran at FIFA World Cup 2026 – Iranians negotiating to move matches from US to Mexico
The winners of the Wales-Bosnia match will play at home against Italy or Northern Ireland on March 31 for a place in the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States, which runs from June 11 to July 19.
Meanwhile, Wales’ attempts to convince Tottenham defender Ashley Phillips to switch international allegiance appear to have failed for now, with the England Under-21 cap not included in the play-off squad.
Born in Salford, near Manchester in the northwest of England, Phillips was capped by Wales at Under-16 level in 2021 before making more than 30 appearances for England youth teams.
Phillips was approached by Wales to rejoin the national team, but his name was missing from Bellamy’s 26-man squad.
The twenty-year-old is on loan to Stoke and played more than seventy games for the English second division in two spells.
“We always look at dual nationalities,” says Bellamy. “They have been so good to us for a number of years.
«This (Philips’ situation) is not for now, but we are always actively working on it. We have to be. That is for another time.»
Injuries to senior players have disrupted Wales’ play-off plans.
Davies broke his ankle in January and the defender, who won his 100th cap in October, could miss the World Cup if the Dragons qualify.
Central defender Chris Mepham and striker Kieffer Moore have both been ruled out in Bosnia due to hamstring problems.
Wrexham’s Danny Ward, one of four goalkeepers in the squad, has been recalled after dislocating his elbow and spending four months on the sidelines.
Fullback Rhys Norrington-Davies and winger Rabbi Matondo, who has not yet started a game for Scottish giants Rangers this season, also return to the squad.
Published on March 17, 2026
