Wales will be without their captain, Ben Davies, for their upcoming crucial World Cup qualifying matches against Liechtenstein and North Macedonia. The Tottenham defender is sidelined with a hamstring injury, a significant blow to Wales' chances as they fight for a coveted spot in the upcoming tournament.
Davies sustained the injury during his 100th appearance for Wales in a match against Belgium a month ago. He was forced off the field in the second half of the match. Following the match, Tottenham boss Thomas Frank revealed that the 32-year-old would be out for several weeks. The exact date of the Belgium match where Davies was injured was September 23, 2025.
The loss of Davies is a major setback for Wales, as the experienced defender is a key figure in their backline and a leader within the squad. His absence will be keenly felt in both matches, particularly the crucial home game against North Macedonia, where Wales will be looking to secure a vital win in their quest for World Cup qualification.
Adding to Wales' injury woes, Wrexham striker Kieffer Moore and Swansea defender Ben Cabango have also withdrawn from the squad due to injuries. These withdrawals further deplete Craig Bellamy's options as he prepares his team for the crucial qualifiers.
In response to these injury setbacks, Isaak Davies and Rhys Norrington-Davies have been called up to the squad to face Liechtenstein and North Macedonia. These fresh faces will be eager to seize their opportunity and contribute to Wales' World Cup qualifying campaign.
With Ben Davies absent, Leeds captain Ethan Ampadu is expected to wear the captain's armband for the match against Liechtenstein and the subsequent home game against North Macedonia. Ampadu's leadership qualities will be crucial as Wales navigates these challenging fixtures.
Wales is currently locked in a tight battle with North Macedonia for second place in Group J. Belgium is expected to win the group and secure automatic qualification. Wales will need to overcome these injury setbacks and secure positive results in their remaining matches to keep their World Cup dreams alive.
