Ramsey dropped before anticipated Wales return
Wales national football team manager Craig Bellamy has excluded Aaron Ramsey and Daniel James from the squad for upcoming fixtures against England and Belgium due to injury concerns, the Welsh Football Association announced on Tuesday.
Leeds United winger Daniel James faces a four to six-week layoff after sustaining an ankle injury, ruling him out of Wales’ friendly against England at Wembley on Thursday and the World Cup qualifier versus Belgium in Cardiff four days later. Meanwhile, veteran midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who has not featured for Wales in over a year due to persistent injuries, withdrew citing a muscular problem that also kept him out of Pumas UNAM’s recent match in Mexico.
Ramsey, a seasoned international with 86 caps, joined Pumas this summer after a five-month hiatus related to hamstring surgery in March. His absence leaves a significant midfield void for Wales as they currently sit third in Group J of the 2026 World Cup qualifying standings with ten points from five games, trailing leaders North Macedonia by a single point.
In response, Bellamy has called up promising Cardiff City pair Isaak Davies and Rubin Colwill to bolster the squad, reflecting a blend of youth and experience aimed at maintaining Wales’ competitive edge in these crucial fixtures.
This latest development underscores ongoing fitness challenges for Ramsey, whose experience and composure in midfield have been vital for Wales over the years. For James, the setback comes at a critical club and international stage just as he looks to regain full fitness. The issue also highlights the importance of squad depth for Wales as they pursue qualification ambitions under Bellamy’s stewardship.
The coming matches will be an opportunity to assess emerging talent and tactical flexibility, with Bellamy needing to navigate these absences carefully to sustain Wales’ World Cup hopes and team cohesion going forward.