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

Leeds United’s Welsh quartet have been called up for this month’s World Cup play-offs, keeping alive their route to the 2026 finals.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, Karl Darlow, Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu and Daniel James are in Craig Bellamy’s squad. Wales face Bosnia & Herzegovina at the Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday March 26.

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

Wales revived their bid in November, winning 1-0 in Liechtenstein then beating North Macedonia 7-1 in Cardiff. James scored the fourth, but later sustained a hamstring tendon injury that kept him out for just over two months.

Rodon missed a few festive games with an ankle problem and a minor hamstring issue was managed with FA Cup rest, yet he has otherwise been a regular and started Wales’ last four. Ampadu was suspended for the 7-1 win after a second booking against Liechtenstein and has been a rock for Leeds this season.

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

Before reporting for Wales, the quartet turn to Saturday’s Brentford visit to Elland Road, a game Leeds will be desperate to win to pull away from relegation rivals. After the break, Daniel Farke’s side go to West Ham in the FA Cup quarter-finals, then wait three weeks before their next league game at Manchester United.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk