Wales head to Belgium on Thursday to play their penultimate game before the World Cup in November.
The Dragons are bottom of their Nations League section, while second-placed Belgium are trying to chase down group leaders Holland.
Here are the main talking points surrounding the Brussels clash.
Bale wait
Bale’s here bois ???????#TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/EnBqA4da1e
— Wales ??????? (@Cymru) September 20, 2022
Skipper Gareth Bale has joined up with the Wales squad for the first time as a Los Angeles FC player. But Bale’s starting role is in doubt after his late arrival from California. The 33-year-old was a 62nd-minute substitute in LAFC’s 3-1 victory over Houston Dynamo in the early hours of Monday morning (UK time). Bale did not arrive in Wales until Tuesday afternoon, and boss Robert Page will weigh up the effects of jet lag before deciding whether he starts in Brussels or takes a place on the bench.
Teenage talent
17-year-old @lukeharris2005 at the treble! ?
Sit back and enjoy. ?#FFCU21 pic.twitter.com/3VTCvNyCr7
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) August 16, 2022
Teenagers Luke Harris and Jordan James could get the chance to stake World Cup claims against Belgium and Poland this week. The midfield pair have been called up following injuries to Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen and Harry Wilson. Harris, who has a remarkable scoring record for Fulham’s age-grade sides, only turned 17 in April and could become the fourth-youngest Welshman to play for his country. Hereford-born James, 18, gets the chance after impressing for Birmingham and returning to the Wales fold after playing for England Under-20s in March.
Re-energised Rodon
Relegation battle
Familiar foes
What a goal ?#TogetherStronger | #WALBEL
— Wales ??????? (@Cymru) June 11, 2022
Wales and Belgium have seen a lot of each other over the last 10 years. This will be their ninth meeting in the last decade with the score even so far – two wins apiece and four draws. Wales’ wins came in Euro 2016 qualification, Bale scoring the winner on an electric night in Cardiff, and the quarter-final of that tournament itself, 3-1 in Lille. Brennan Johnson’s late equaliser in Cardiff three months ago secured Wales’ only point of this Nations League campaign.
