Wales World Cup guide: ‘A red storm is coming to the gates of Qatar’

After being grouped with British rivals England, Wales don’t need much motivation ahead of their first Fifa World Cup appearance since 1958. But if Robert Page’s squad are seeking some inspiration during their campaign in Qatar then they have Michael Sheen to fall back on.

When appearing on Sky TV game show A League of Their Own in September, the Welsh actor was asked by host Romesh Ranganathan what kind of “rousing” pre-match speech he would give to the “Welsh lads” before their group B game with England. In “typical Sheen fashion”, he “threw himself into the challenge” and delivered an “incredible rallying call”, said Virgin Radio.

The inspirational speech, which went viral, included the line “a red storm is coming to the gates of Qatar” and ended with “when the English coming knock on our door, let’s give them some sugar, boys, let’s give them some Welsh sugar”.

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Sheen’s “passion-filled” speech was hailed by fans as “magnificent” and “Oscar-worthy”, said The Economic Times. Delivered with “gusto”, it “sent shivers down the spines of every Welsh man, woman and child in the land”, as well as “many people who aren’t from this small corner of the world”, WalesOnline added.

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‘Even better than the original’

Wales head coach Page was so moved by Sheen’s stirring words that he even invited the actor to the team’s Vale of Glamorgan training base after the Uefa Nations League game against Poland. Sheen then performed a “customised version” of his World Cup speech in front of the whole squad, said WalesOnline. And it was “somehow even better than the original”.

When talking to the players Sheen said that when he did the speech on A League of Their Own, it was “specifically” for the England game. “But I couldn’t come and see you and not give you something to go with.”

Qualifying after beating Ukraine in the play-offs, the “Class of 2022” are already “national heroes” and are “determined to prove Wales’ long World Cup absence has been worth the wait”, said Phil Blanche of the Nation.Cymru news service. Look out for the “bucket hats” and wait for Yma o Hyd “to stir the soul”, Wales are back at the World Cup.

Bale will ‘always produce’

With Sheen’s rousing words behind them, Wales are now ready for their World Cup return after 64 years and Page has named the 26 players who the fans hope will take them far in the tournament in Qatar.

There have been concerns regarding the fitness of captain Gareth Bale, Wales’s all-time top scorer with 40 goals in 108 internationals. But even though the Los Angeles FC forward has not played as many minutes as Page would like, it doesn’t worry the Welsh boss.

Bale, 33, has proved “time and time again when he puts the Welsh jersey on” and has “always produced”, Page said at his squad announcement held at Tylorstown Welfare Hall in the Rhondda Valley on Wednesday. “On big occasions he’ll always turn up, thrive, and enjoy it. No question about that. It’s the power that people like Gareth have because they always deliver.”

Page has also included Swansea City’s experienced midfielder Joe Allen, despite the 32-year-old having not played since September because of a hamstring injury. “There was no way I was ever going to not name him in the 26,” Page said. “He’s on the grass. He’s progressing as we want him to and we’ll give him every opportunity to be fit for the first game.”

Wales kick-off their World Cup campaign against the USA on 21 November. They also play Iran and England in group B.

Wales’s group B fixtures

• Monday 21 November: USA vs. Wales (Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium; 7pm; ITV/S4C)
• Friday 25 November: Wales vs. Iran (Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium; 10am; BBC/S4C)
• Tuesday 29 November: Wales vs. England (Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium; 7pm; BBC/S4C)

Wales’s final 26-man squad

• Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey (Nottingham Forest), Danny Ward (Leicester City), Adam Davies (Stoke City)
• Defenders: Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest), Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur), Ben Cabango (Swansea City), Joe Rodon (Rennes, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Chris Mepham (Bournemouth), Ethan Ampadu (Spezia, on loan from Chelsea), Chris Gunter (AFC Wimbledon), Connor Roberts (Burnley), Tom Lockyer (Luton Town)
• Midfielders: Aaron Ramsey (Nice), Joe Allen (Swansea City), Harry Wilson (Fulham), Joe Morrell (Portsmouth), Dylan Levitt (Dundee United), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff City), Jonny Williams (Swindon Town), Matthew Smith (Milton Keynes Dons), Sorba Thomas (Huddersfield Town)
• Forwards: Gareth Bale (Los Angeles FC), Dan James (Fulham, on loan from Leeds United), Kieffer Moore (Bournemouth), Mark Harris (Cardiff City), Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest)