London: Wales captain Aaron Ramsey has been left out of the squad for this month’s World Cup play-offs, casting fresh doubts over his future in international football.
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, mean Ramsey has not played for Wales since September 2024.
The former Arsenal and Juventus midfielder has said he wants to play for Wales at this year’s World Cup should they qualify, but his hopes of representing his country at a fourth major tournament are now uncertain. “He hasn’t played competitive football in seven months. He’s not at a club,” said Wales manager Craig Bellamy after announcing his squad on Tuesday. “It (Ramsey’s future) is not really for me to talk about. It’s a situation I’m sure which will resolve itself.”
Ben Davies has led Wales in Ramsey’s absence but, as the Tottenham defender is injured, Fulham attacking midfielder Harry Wilson is likely to skipper the team in the play-off semi-final against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Cardiff on March 26. The winners of the Wales-Bosnia tie will face either Italy or Northern Ireland at home on March 31 for a place at a World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States that runs from June 11 to July 19.
Meanwhile, Wales’ attempts to persuade 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.
