Wales World Cup squad announced as nine Premier League stars make cut

Daniel James and Neco Williams have been included in Wales’ final 26-man squad (Image: GETTY)Daniel James and Neco Williams are just two of the Premier League stars to have been included in the final Wales squad for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar. Rob Page announced the 26-man group that will be representing Wales on the biggest of global stages at an event on Wednesday evening, with their national football team set to feature at their first World Cup since 1958.Gareth Bale will be expected to lead by example for Wales after winning the MLS Cup with LAFC earlier this month and will be joined on the plane by several Premier League players as they look to make their country proud over the next few weeks. Nottingham Forest stopper Wayne Hennessy and Danny Ward of Leicester City are named as two of the three goalkeepers in the squad, while Tottenham full-back Ben Davies leads a strong defensive group that also includes the likes of Williams, Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu.Joe Allen, Jonny Williams and Aaron Ramsey are among the regular midfielders to have been called up by Page, who will also be trusting a number of Premier League attackers to provide the goals for Wales in Qatar. Leeds forward James, Fulham winger Harry Wilson and Bournemouth marksman Kieffer Moore are in the squad alongside Forest striker Brennan Johnson, who has managed to burst onto the scene as a huge talent for club and country since the beginning of last season.There is no room in the Wales squad for Rangers forward Rabbi Matondo, though, while the likes of Wigan Athletic striker Nathan Broadhead and Ipswich Town wide man Wesley Burns were also overlooked despite being in and around the side over the last few months. Page insisted after naming his final 26-man squad that he chose to leave out Matondo as a result of his lack of regular minutes in Scotland, with the 22-year-old yet to score for his new club since joining from German outfit Schalke over the summer.”It’s been a frustrating time for him,” said Page. “I think he was playing his best football when he was in Belgium. If he’d have been playing week in, week out, scoring goals and creating chances like he was in Belgium then it would have been a really difficult decision for me.”MORE TO FOLLOWWe’ll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures, and video on this breaking news story.For the latest news and breaking news visit: /sportStay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion, and video on the stories that matter to you.Follow us on Twitter @DExpress_Sport – the official Daily Express & Express.co.uk Twitter account – providing real news in real-time.We’re also on Facebook @DailyExpressSport – offering your must-see news, features, videos, and pictures throughout the day to like, comment, and share from the Daily Express, Sunday Express, and Express.co.uk.