When Wales last time participated in the World Cup, Brazilian legend Pele (82) was only 17 years old, and it was his team who eliminated the Welsh in the quarter-finals. If you asked anybody in Wales in 1958 will their selection qualify for the next World Cup, everybody would say ‘yes’, but they haven’t been at the world’s biggest football tournament for 64 years. Until now. And in today’s game against USA, their biggest star will be a footballer who plays in the American league (MLS) – Gareth Bale.They’ll always say we’reToo small Too slowToo weakToo full of fearBut YMA O HYD you sons of SpeedWith that Red Wall around us🏴 WE’RE STILL HERE!!! 🏴#ArBenYByd | #FIFAWorldCup | #TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/98F9s0AujH— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) November 21, 2022 The Welsh forward is passed his best, but was still crucial during the World Cup qualifiers, when he scored twice in the play-off semi-final with Austria and then the decisive goal against Ukraine to reach Qatar. And the former Real Madrid player is aware of the nation’s joy.“In every World Cup I’ve seen, there has never been a Wales flag, so it has been difficult to have a favorite team. For the youngsters growing up, to have Wales in the World Cup is an incredible experience to have. One I wished that I had. It’s history in our country. Schools are going to stop to watch our games. Kids are going to miss school. Fortunately for them! It’s a massive piece of history in our country — something we have all wanted for such a long time” said Bale, who will start tonight’s match with USA.Group B – Three English-speaking countries and the Islamic Republic they often speak aboutAlongside him, Wales’s fans are hoping to see Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen, two valuable members of the squad, who were a part of that 2016 EURO team, which reached the semi-final at the tournament. Apart from the more experienced players, the Welsh will count on their two most prominent youngsters: Neco Williams and Brennan Johnson. Both are members of Nottingham Forrest and already have a number of national team appearances.🗣🏴 | “I’m right where I want to be”Gareth Bale on his fitness levels ahead of Cymru vs USA tomorrow 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/A0loh4VXEd— welshfootie (@welshfootie) November 20, 2022 Football is changing and in the 21st century, countries like USA are no longer football minors, who thrive only in American football (NFL), basketball (NBA) and baseball (NL). In fact, the Americans have a squad full of players from Europe’s Top 5 Leagues, with Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic leading the line. Gregg Berhalter’s side wasn’t so great during the World Cup qualifications, and USA finished in the third place (behind Canada and Mexico) only during the last game with Panama. But, some of that can be attributed to the youth. After all, the Americans have the youngest squad in Qatar – 24 on average. Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson (both Leeds) are next familiar players in the squad, not to mention Weston McKennie (Juventus), Sergino Dest (AC Milan) from Italian Serie A, or Joe Scally and Giovanni Reyna from Bundesliga.Another FIFA ‘victory’: European clubs decided not to wear ‘OneLove’ armbandTheir form throughout 2022 has been very inconsistent, as they failed to win seven of their 12 games this year. The US have not been at a World Cup since 2010 in South Africa, where they drew 1-1 with England. Their best finish remains a third-place finish at Uruguay 1930 and it doesn’t look it will change any time soon. But, if they defeat Wels today and start the tournament with three points…WORLD CUPSunday, Nov 20thQatar – Ecuador 0-2 (0-2)/Valencia 16 pen, 31/Monday, Nov 21st16:00: (1.35) England (4.60) Iran (10.5) B19:00: (6.00) Senegal (3.70) Netherlands (1.62) A22:00: (2.65) USA (3.00) Wales (2.90) B
