Ramsey left out again for Wales' World Cup play-offs
Captain Aaron Ramsey is left out of the Wales squad for this month's World Cup play-offs, casting further doubt over his future.
Aaron Ramsey has made 86 appearances for Wales, scoring 21 goals [Getty Images] Captain Aaron Ramsey has been left out of the Wales squad for this month's World Cup play-offs, casting further doubt over his future. 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 a run of injuries, means 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 summer's World Cup should they qualify, but his hopes of representing his country at a fourth major tournament look increasingly remote. Wales face Bosnia-Herzegovina in their World Cup play-off semi-final at Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday, 26 March, with the winners hosting Italy or Northern Ireland in the final five days later. Craig Bellamy's side are without defender Ben Davies, striker Kieffer Moore and West Bromwich Albion centre-back Chris Mepham because of injury.
They are replaced in the 26-man squad b y Wrexham goalkeeper Danny Ward, left-back Rhys Norrington Davies - on loan at Queens Park Rangers from Sheffield United - and Rangers forward Rabbi Matondo. Wales squad Darlow, Ward, Davies, King, Dasilva, Norrington-Davies, Lawlor, Cabango, Rodon, Williams, Kpakio, Ampadu, Sheehan, J James, Cullen, J Colwill, Wilson, Brooks, Broadhead, Johnson, Thomas, Harris, Koumas, D James, Matondo, R Colwill. Wrexham's Moore to miss Wales' World Cup play-offs Wales star Wilson confirms fitness for World Cup play-offs Wales boss Bellamy won't push Ramsey on his future The winners of this play-off path will secure their place at the World Cup, where they will be in Group B alongside co-hosts Canada, Switzerland and Qatar.
If Wales get there, it looks increasingly like they will be without Ramsey. The playmaker has enjoyed a glittering international career, the highlight being the starring role he played as Wales reached the Euro 2016 semi-finals, earning himself a place in Uefa's team of the tournament. Ramsey has also excelled at the highest level in club football, spending more than a decade at Arsenal , for whom he scored winning goals in two FA Cup finals.