Leeds United quartet in Wales squad for 2026 World Cup play-offs | OneFootball

Leeds United’s Welsh quartet have been selected for March’s play-offs, giving them a chance to reach the 2026 World Cup.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, Karl Darlow, Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu and Daniel James are in Craig Bellamy’s squad. Wales host Bosnia & Herzegovina in a one-legged semi-final at the Cardiff City Stadium on the evening of Thursday March 26.

Victory would set up a decider against Italy or Northern Ireland on Tuesday March 31. Should Wales progress, the final would also be played in Cardiff, with a place at this summer’s World Cup at stake.

In November, Wales kept their hopes alive by finishing second in Group J after a 1-0 win in Liechtenstein and a 7-1 rout of North Macedonia in Cardiff. James netted the fourth in that emphatic display.

The winger has since missed just over two months with a hamstring tendon issue. Rodon was sidelined by an ankle problem over the festive period and a minor hamstring complaint managed with FA Cup rest, yet he has otherwise been near ever-present and started Wales’ last four matches.

Ampadu missed the 7-1 victory through suspension following his second booking of the campaign against Liechtenstein. He has been a rock for Leeds this season, stepping up to the Premier League with only a handful of below-par outings.

This is Darlow’s first international break as first-choice keeper for club and country, after he replaced £16 million summer signing Lucas Perri earlier this year following costly errors against Manchester United and Newcastle. The 35-year-old has been largely solid, as he was in last season’s Championship run-in.

Before reporting for Wales, all four focus on Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Brentford at Elland Road as Leeds seek breathing space from relegation rivals. After the break, Daniel Farke’s side visit West Ham in the FA Cup quarter-finals, then face a three-week wait before their next league game at Manchester United.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk