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| World Cup: Wales 'knows most of world against us' in Ukraine play-off | World Cup: Wales 'knows most of world against us' in Ukraine play-off |
| (3 days later) | |
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| DJ Katie Owen, says supporters will be singing their "hearts out" on Sunday. | DJ Katie Owen, says supporters will be singing their "hearts out" on Sunday. |
| DJ Katie Owen, says supporters will be singing their "hearts out" on Sunday. | DJ Katie Owen, says supporters will be singing their "hearts out" on Sunday. |
| Wales' men's football team knows "most of the world will be against them" on Sunday as they host Ukraine for a place in the World Cup in Qatar. | Wales' men's football team knows "most of the world will be against them" on Sunday as they host Ukraine for a place in the World Cup in Qatar. |
| Wales manager Robert Page said "most of the world want Ukraine to get through", in solidarity after Russia's invasion of Ukraine that has killed thousands. | Wales manager Robert Page said "most of the world want Ukraine to get through", in solidarity after Russia's invasion of Ukraine that has killed thousands. |
| Ukrainian refugees in the UK have been offered tickets to the game in Cardiff. | Ukrainian refugees in the UK have been offered tickets to the game in Cardiff. |
| Wales hope to put 64 years of World Cup hurt behind them as they bid to qualify for their first finals since 1958. | Wales hope to put 64 years of World Cup hurt behind them as they bid to qualify for their first finals since 1958. |
| The Football Association of Wales has invited the UK's Ukrainian ambassador to the match, while the Welsh government has given the visiting team and their delegates an official "warm Welsh welcome" in support to the people of Ukraine in the war with Russia. | The Football Association of Wales has invited the UK's Ukrainian ambassador to the match, while the Welsh government has given the visiting team and their delegates an official "warm Welsh welcome" in support to the people of Ukraine in the war with Russia. |
| Five ways Russia’s war in Ukraine may play out | Five ways Russia’s war in Ukraine may play out |
| What does Putin want from Russia's war in Ukraine? | What does Putin want from Russia's war in Ukraine? |
| In maps: Battles raging in east Ukraine | In maps: Battles raging in east Ukraine |
| What might swing the Ukraine war? | What might swing the Ukraine war? |
| Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford has sent a message of support to the Welsh team, but added this game was an "opportunity for us to reaffirm our support for Ukraine as it fights Russia's unprovoked and brutal act of war". | Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford has sent a message of support to the Welsh team, but added this game was an "opportunity for us to reaffirm our support for Ukraine as it fights Russia's unprovoked and brutal act of war". |
| Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey will lead Wales' World Cup charge in Sunday's play-off | Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey will lead Wales' World Cup charge in Sunday's play-off |
| Mr Drakeford went on to say: "It would be fantastic for the squad and the Welsh supporters to have our team competing in the World Cup in November." | Mr Drakeford went on to say: "It would be fantastic for the squad and the Welsh supporters to have our team competing in the World Cup in November." |
| 'If we could take Ukraine's pain away, we would' | 'If we could take Ukraine's pain away, we would' |
| Page, Wales' caretaker boss because of full-time manager Ryan Giggs' ongoing absence, has admitted that all the neutral fans will want Ukraine to win. | Page, Wales' caretaker boss because of full-time manager Ryan Giggs' ongoing absence, has admitted that all the neutral fans will want Ukraine to win. |
| Ukraine fans made their feelings known in Wednesday's play-off semi-final win in Scotland | Ukraine fans made their feelings known in Wednesday's play-off semi-final win in Scotland |
| "They won the Eurovision Song Contest because they had the backing of the world," said Page. | "They won the Eurovision Song Contest because they had the backing of the world," said Page. |
| "If we could click our fingers and take away the pain the Ukraine are going through, we'd do it in a heartbeat. But when it comes to football and the whistle goes, we'll want to win that game. Business is business. | "If we could click our fingers and take away the pain the Ukraine are going through, we'd do it in a heartbeat. But when it comes to football and the whistle goes, we'll want to win that game. Business is business. |
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| Wales defender Ben Davies said it can feel "insensitive" to play a football game when opponents Ukraine are at war at home | Wales defender Ben Davies said it can feel "insensitive" to play a football game when opponents Ukraine are at war at home |
| Wales defender Ben Davies said it can feel "insensitive" to play a football game when opponents Ukraine are at war at home | Wales defender Ben Davies said it can feel "insensitive" to play a football game when opponents Ukraine are at war at home |
| "We've put ourselves in a good position - 1958 is a long time to wait. Opportunities like this don't come around every day." | "We've put ourselves in a good position - 1958 is a long time to wait. Opportunities like this don't come around every day." |
| What World Cup qualification would mean to Ukraine | What World Cup qualification would mean to Ukraine |
| Ukraine beat Scotland 3-1 on Wednesday to set-up Sunday's World Cup play-off final with Wales, and their star player Oleksandr Zinchenko has said it will be a "massive game" for everyone in his country. | Ukraine beat Scotland 3-1 on Wednesday to set-up Sunday's World Cup play-off final with Wales, and their star player Oleksandr Zinchenko has said it will be a "massive game" for everyone in his country. |
| First Minister Mark Drakeford said he stands firmly with Ukraine in the war with Russia | First Minister Mark Drakeford said he stands firmly with Ukraine in the war with Russia |
| "Everyone knows the situation in Ukraine... and we need to show the performances of our lives," said the Manchester City player. | "Everyone knows the situation in Ukraine... and we need to show the performances of our lives," said the Manchester City player. |
| "We dream as a team to be in the World Cup and we have one more game and we need to win it." | "We dream as a team to be in the World Cup and we have one more game and we need to win it." |
| Welsh Secretary Simon Hart has also wished an "extraordinarily talented Wales team" well, saying qualifying for a first World Cup in 64 years "would be a truly historic moment for Welsh sport. | Welsh Secretary Simon Hart has also wished an "extraordinarily talented Wales team" well, saying qualifying for a first World Cup in 64 years "would be a truly historic moment for Welsh sport. |
| But he added: "As much as I want a Wales win, my heart also goes out to the Ukrainian team over the ongoing situation in their country. | But he added: "As much as I want a Wales win, my heart also goes out to the Ukrainian team over the ongoing situation in their country. |
| The play-off is at the Cardiff City Stadium where Wales are unbeaten in 18 games - a run stretching back to 2018 | The play-off is at the Cardiff City Stadium where Wales are unbeaten in 18 games - a run stretching back to 2018 |
| "While there can be only one winner on the pitch, the Welsh nation will continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine." | "While there can be only one winner on the pitch, the Welsh nation will continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine." |
| People in Wales have so far raised millions of pounds for the Ukraine humanitarian fund and, of the 14 million Ukraine people displaced by the conflict, Wales has housed almost 2,000 refugees - with more than 3,300 visas approved. | People in Wales have so far raised millions of pounds for the Ukraine humanitarian fund and, of the 14 million Ukraine people displaced by the conflict, Wales has housed almost 2,000 refugees - with more than 3,300 visas approved. |
| Fan travelling 8,500 miles for World Cup play-off | Fan travelling 8,500 miles for World Cup play-off |
| One fan is making the round trip of more than 8,500 miles to be in Cardiff - despite flying over to the UK without a ticket. | One fan is making the round trip of more than 8,500 miles to be in Cardiff - despite flying over to the UK without a ticket. |
| Rhys Davies moved to Canada after falling in love with the country while playing rugby there | Rhys Davies moved to Canada after falling in love with the country while playing rugby there |
| Rhys Davies travelled with his wife and three young children from Edmonton in Canada in the desperate hope of finding a ticket - and his gamble has paid off. | Rhys Davies travelled with his wife and three young children from Edmonton in Canada in the desperate hope of finding a ticket - and his gamble has paid off. |
| "I was lucky enough to have good family members to save me a ticket," said the 37-year-old electrician, who moved to Canada from Llandovery, in Carmarthenshire, 15 years ago. | "I was lucky enough to have good family members to save me a ticket," said the 37-year-old electrician, who moved to Canada from Llandovery, in Carmarthenshire, 15 years ago. |
| "I'm looking forward to it and hoping Wales come through with a victory." | "I'm looking forward to it and hoping Wales come through with a victory." |
| Rhys has brought his whole family back to Wales with him so he can try and be at Sunday's game | Rhys has brought his whole family back to Wales with him so he can try and be at Sunday's game |
| Rhys, whose first Wales game was their memorable win over Italy in 2002 and whose hero is the late captain Gary Speed, normally watches Welsh sporting games in a pub with friends in Alberta. But these World Cup play-offs are different. | Rhys, whose first Wales game was their memorable win over Italy in 2002 and whose hero is the late captain Gary Speed, normally watches Welsh sporting games in a pub with friends in Alberta. But these World Cup play-offs are different. |
| "I came over for the play-off semi-final win over Austria in March and that was amazing. I thought to myself there's no way I'm missing the final. | "I came over for the play-off semi-final win over Austria in March and that was amazing. I thought to myself there's no way I'm missing the final. |
| Wales' World Cup play-off final on free-to-air TV | Wales' World Cup play-off final on free-to-air TV |
| The significance of Wales' World Cup play-off | The significance of Wales' World Cup play-off |
| Pick your Wales starting XI for Ukraine | Pick your Wales starting XI for Ukraine |
| "It's a tough one to call on Sunday, but I'm pretty confident we can do it and get to Qatar." | "It's a tough one to call on Sunday, but I'm pretty confident we can do it and get to Qatar." |
| 'Wales wants World Cup qualification' | 'Wales wants World Cup qualification' |
| Tim Hartley, whose first Wales game was their European Championship play-off against Yugoslavia in 1976, hasn't missed a Wales game for 20 years. | Tim Hartley, whose first Wales game was their European Championship play-off against Yugoslavia in 1976, hasn't missed a Wales game for 20 years. |
| And although Wales qualified for the Euros in 2016 and 2020 - reaching the semi-finals and last 16 respectively - Tim knows qualifying for the World Cup is the big one. | And although Wales qualified for the Euros in 2016 and 2020 - reaching the semi-finals and last 16 respectively - Tim knows qualifying for the World Cup is the big one. |
| Tim Hartley helps a Welsh fans' charity that raises funds for projects in countries who Wales are playing | Tim Hartley helps a Welsh fans' charity that raises funds for projects in countries who Wales are playing |
| "The whole world is going to be rooting for Ukraine except for us, so it's going to be difficult," said the author from Cardiff. | "The whole world is going to be rooting for Ukraine except for us, so it's going to be difficult," said the author from Cardiff. |
| "It's great to see Ukraine playing football but let's be realistic, we want to get to the World Cup finals." | "It's great to see Ukraine playing football but let's be realistic, we want to get to the World Cup finals." |
| When was the last time Wales qualified for a World Cup? | When was the last time Wales qualified for a World Cup? |
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| Comedian Elis James explains how Wales made it to their only World Cup | Comedian Elis James explains how Wales made it to their only World Cup |
| Comedian Elis James explains how Wales made it to their only World Cup | Comedian Elis James explains how Wales made it to their only World Cup |
| Wales haven't played at football's World Cup finals for 64 years - the longest drought of any team in Europe. | Wales haven't played at football's World Cup finals for 64 years - the longest drought of any team in Europe. |
| In fact, only Cuba and Indonesia - who played at the 1938 finals in France - have gone longer than Wales without qualifying for another World Cup. | In fact, only Cuba and Indonesia - who played at the 1938 finals in France - have gone longer than Wales without qualifying for another World Cup. |
| Brazil superstar Pele scored his first international goal in their 1958 World Cup game with Wales | Brazil superstar Pele scored his first international goal in their 1958 World Cup game with Wales |
| Football's first world superstar Pele was the player to break Welsh hearts in Wales' only previous World Cup appearance in 1958. | Football's first world superstar Pele was the player to break Welsh hearts in Wales' only previous World Cup appearance in 1958. |
| The World Cup history makers nobody knew about | The World Cup history makers nobody knew about |
| Wales’ painful history of qualifying for World Cups | Wales’ painful history of qualifying for World Cups |
| Wales' 'forgotten campaign' at Euro 1976 | Wales' 'forgotten campaign' at Euro 1976 |
| The then 17-year-old scored the only goal - and his first on the international stage - as eventual tournament winners Brazil beat Wales 1-0 in their quarter final. | The then 17-year-old scored the only goal - and his first on the international stage - as eventual tournament winners Brazil beat Wales 1-0 in their quarter final. |
| Paul Bodin misses a penalty against Romania as Wales failed to qualify for the 1994 World Cup | Paul Bodin misses a penalty against Romania as Wales failed to qualify for the 1994 World Cup |
| The Welsh have got agonisingly close to qualifying on numerous occasions since 1958 - most notably missing out after controversial penalties in 1977 and 1985, both times against Scotland, before Wales themselves squandered a penalty against Romania in 1993. | The Welsh have got agonisingly close to qualifying on numerous occasions since 1958 - most notably missing out after controversial penalties in 1977 and 1985, both times against Scotland, before Wales themselves squandered a penalty against Romania in 1993. |
| Wales broke their major finals hoodoo by qualifying for football's European Championships in 2016 where the Welsh reached the semi-final - before reaching the last 16 of Euro 2020. | Wales broke their major finals hoodoo by qualifying for football's European Championships in 2016 where the Welsh reached the semi-final - before reaching the last 16 of Euro 2020. |
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| Their Euro 2016 quarter-final victory against Belgium was one of Wales' greatest wins | Their Euro 2016 quarter-final victory against Belgium was one of Wales' greatest wins |
| Their Euro 2016 quarter-final victory against Belgium was one of Wales' greatest wins | Their Euro 2016 quarter-final victory against Belgium was one of Wales' greatest wins |
| Sunday's play-off kicks off at 17:00 BST and is for a place in the 2022 Fifa World Cup later this year where the winners will share Group B with England and Iran in Qatar. | Sunday's play-off kicks off at 17:00 BST and is for a place in the 2022 Fifa World Cup later this year where the winners will share Group B with England and Iran in Qatar. |
| A sell-out Cardiff City Stadium crowd hope to cheer them to a first World Cup finals since 1958 and folk singer Dafydd Iwan will perform Welsh football anthem Yma o Hyd before kick-off. | A sell-out Cardiff City Stadium crowd hope to cheer them to a first World Cup finals since 1958 and folk singer Dafydd Iwan will perform Welsh football anthem Yma o Hyd before kick-off. |
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| Flare and pitch invasion warning to fans | Flare and pitch invasion warning to fans |
| Fans going to the game have been warned not to bring in flares because of what the FAW describes as the "dangers such as loss of sight, limb or digit removal due to their explosive power". | Fans going to the game have been warned not to bring in flares because of what the FAW describes as the "dangers such as loss of sight, limb or digit removal due to their explosive power". |
| Football chiefs have warned any fan with a pyrotechnic device risks "an FA of Wales ban, probable arrest and a minimum three-year football banning order" - especially after Wales were fined following March's win over Austria. | Football chiefs have warned any fan with a pyrotechnic device risks "an FA of Wales ban, probable arrest and a minimum three-year football banning order" - especially after Wales were fined following March's win over Austria. |
| The Welsh FA are also wary of the growing spate of pitch invasions across the UK following significant matches and have warned any supporters entering the field of play "will be subject to criminal proceedings" and Wales could face sanctions from Fifa. | The Welsh FA are also wary of the growing spate of pitch invasions across the UK following significant matches and have warned any supporters entering the field of play "will be subject to criminal proceedings" and Wales could face sanctions from Fifa. |
| Flares have become a more common occurrence at football games in the UK recently | Flares have become a more common occurrence at football games in the UK recently |
| Supporters have been advised to arrive at the ground early because of "additional security perimeters" as the FAW warn it may take fans longer than usual gaining access to the venue. | Supporters have been advised to arrive at the ground early because of "additional security perimeters" as the FAW warn it may take fans longer than usual gaining access to the venue. |
| People without tickets have been told by the Football Association of Wales not to travel to the Cardiff City Stadium without a ticket as there is no fan zone or public screening of the game, either outside the ground or in Cardiff city centre. | People without tickets have been told by the Football Association of Wales not to travel to the Cardiff City Stadium without a ticket as there is no fan zone or public screening of the game, either outside the ground or in Cardiff city centre. |
| Travel warning for fans heading to Cardiff | Travel warning for fans heading to Cardiff |
| Supporters heading to Cardiff on Sunday have been told car parking is "limited" near the ground, so are warned to plan ahead as public transport companies have said services will be "very busy". | Supporters heading to Cardiff on Sunday have been told car parking is "limited" near the ground, so are warned to plan ahead as public transport companies have said services will be "very busy". |
| More than 32,000 fans are expected to pack the Cardiff City Stadium for Sunday's World Cup play-off | More than 32,000 fans are expected to pack the Cardiff City Stadium for Sunday's World Cup play-off |
| Engineering work will affect train services between Cardiff and Bridgend - meaning the last train to Carmarthen will leave Cardiff Central at 22:00 rather than the usual time of 22:25. | Engineering work will affect train services between Cardiff and Bridgend - meaning the last train to Carmarthen will leave Cardiff Central at 22:00 rather than the usual time of 22:25. |
| Valleys Line services between Pontypridd and Merthyr Tydfil will be shut for engineering work so buses will replace trains. | Valleys Line services between Pontypridd and Merthyr Tydfil will be shut for engineering work so buses will replace trains. |
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| Transport for Wales have reminded football fans travelling to north Wales that the only train after the game is the five-hour 21:07 service to Holyhead, changing at Chester. | Transport for Wales have reminded football fans travelling to north Wales that the only train after the game is the five-hour 21:07 service to Holyhead, changing at Chester. |
| Roads around the Cardiff City Stadium may be shut two hours before and two hours after the game with Cardiff council warning of closures to Bessemer Road, Sloper Road and Leckwith Road. The length of closures will "depend on crowds". | Roads around the Cardiff City Stadium may be shut two hours before and two hours after the game with Cardiff council warning of closures to Bessemer Road, Sloper Road and Leckwith Road. The length of closures will "depend on crowds". |
| Scottish singer Gerry Cinnamon will perform in front of 10,000 fans at Cardiff Castle on Sunday night | Scottish singer Gerry Cinnamon will perform in front of 10,000 fans at Cardiff Castle on Sunday night |
| Streets in Cardiff city centre will also be shut in the evening as 10,000 people are expected at the Gerry Cinnamon concert in Cardiff Castle - with road closures after and potentially before gig, depending on crowds. | Streets in Cardiff city centre will also be shut in the evening as 10,000 people are expected at the Gerry Cinnamon concert in Cardiff Castle - with road closures after and potentially before gig, depending on crowds. |
| Where the play-off winners will play their World Cup games | Where the play-off winners will play their World Cup games |
| Venue: Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium | Venue: Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium |
| Capacity: 40,000 | Capacity: 40,000 |
| Games: Seven, up to last 16 | Games: Seven, up to last 16 |
| Location: Al Rayyan, 20km west of Doha | Location: Al Rayyan, 20km west of Doha |
| This stadium was built on the site of an old ground with the same name - with more than 80% of the construction materials reused or recycled - including from the initial ground. | This stadium was built on the site of an old ground with the same name - with more than 80% of the construction materials reused or recycled - including from the initial ground. |
| Its glowing facade is "comprised of patterns that characterise different aspects of the country". | Its glowing facade is "comprised of patterns that characterise different aspects of the country". |
| What can fans expect at the Qatar World Cup? | What can fans expect at the Qatar World Cup? |
| 10 things to look out for after World Cup draw | 10 things to look out for after World Cup draw |
| The hat and the tent - guide to World Cup stadiums | The hat and the tent - guide to World Cup stadiums |
| It will host Al Rayyan Sports Club, with a 20,000 capacity, after the tournament. | It will host Al Rayyan Sports Club, with a 20,000 capacity, after the tournament. |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Russia-Ukraine war | Russia-Ukraine war |
| Merthyr Tydfil | Merthyr Tydfil |
| Sweden | Sweden |
| Holyhead | Holyhead |
| Cardiff | Cardiff |
| Transport for Wales | Transport for Wales |
| Carmarthen | Carmarthen |
| Ukraine | Ukraine |
| Pontypridd | Pontypridd |