Aaron Ramsey Eyes World Cup Spot as Wales Prepares for Play-offs

Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey, a three-time FA Cup winner with Arsenal, has expressed that qualifying for next summer’s World Cup would be “the icing on the cake” of his illustrious career.

Following an impressive 7-1 victory over North Macedonia, Wales finds itself just two games away from securing a place in the finals, which will be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The recent play-off draw has set up a semi-final match against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Cardiff. Should they emerge victorious, they will face the winner of the encounter between Italy and Northern Ireland.

Despite his enthusiasm, Ramsey has not participated in any matches for Wales in the past 14 months due to injury. “There are a lot of factors that need to align for playing at the World Cup to become a realistic aim,” the midfielder told Sky Sports News.

Currently, Ramsey has not confirmed his status with Pumas UNAM amid reports suggesting that his one-year contract with the Mexican club, which he joined last July, has been terminated prematurely. Pumas has yet to comment on his departure, but Ramsey hinted at his openness to joining another team, stating, “We’ll see how things unfold over the next couple of weeks. I can’t play for anyone until January, so we’ll see how things develop.”

The former Arsenal and Juventus player expressed excitement about the challenge of joining Pumas after leaving Cardiff City, although he has only made six appearances due to ongoing injury issues, the last of which was in September. Additionally, Ramsey’s time in Mexico was overshadowed by the disappearance of his dog, Halo, prompting the family to offer a reward for information regarding its whereabouts.

Wales will host Bosnia, while Northern Ireland will face Italy in their respective play-offs. Manager Craig Bellamy is optimistic about Ramsey’s potential contribution, asserting that he still has much to offer the team as they prepare for the crucial one-legged play-off against Bosnia-Herzegovina on March 26. Ramsey acknowledged the significance of home advantage in both the semi-final and potential final, noting that the support from fans at Cardiff City Stadium has been monumental.

“The fans have been a tremendous part of this journey, through both the highs and lows,” he remarked during an interview with TalkSport. “The atmosphere at home matches is incredible, particularly when the anthem plays; it creates a spine-tingling moment. If that doesn’t motivate you for a game of football, then you’re in trouble.”

Previously, Ramsey took on the role of interim manager for Cardiff during the last three games of the 2024-25 season but could not prevent the team’s relegation from the Championship. Looking ahead, he is keen on pursuing a managerial career post-retirement, having completed his coaching badges and found joy in the process. “I attended the Wales match against Liechtenstein last week and gained valuable insights into the behind-the-scenes efforts that prepare the players for executing a game plan. It’s an addictive process, and I definitely see myself entering that field.”