Gareth Bale fit and 'ready to go' for Wales in World Cup opener against USA

Talisman 'right where I want to be' for Monday's game but midfielder Allen ruled out

HOW WALES QUALIFIED FOR WORLD CUP 2022: (Group E): 24 March 2021. Belgium 3 (De Bruyne 22', T. Hazard 28', Lukaku pen 73') Wales 1 (Wilson 11'): The toughest start possible for Wales, who took a shock early lead through Harry Wilson before succumbing to the world's top-ranked team. "We knew coming into it they're number one in the world for a reason," said caretaker manager Robert Page. "If you give quality teams like this half a chance, inevitably the ball ends up in the back of the net." EPA

March 30, 2021. Wales 1 (James 82') Czech Republic 0: A late Daniel James header earned Wales a vital win in a match that saw each team reduced to 10 men after Patrik Schick and Connor Roberts were sent off. "We're disappointed with aspects of our performance, but it's a win," said Page. "What we've done in recent times is found a way to win." AFP

September 5, 2021. Belarus 2 (V. Lisakovich pen 29', Sedko 31') Wales 3 (Bale pen 6', pen 69', 90+3'): A Gareth Bale hat-trick, with the winner coming deep into injury time, earned Wales three points after going in at half time 2-1 down. "A few years ago we might not have won that game," said Page. "But now we’ve got a team who will fight and can find ways to win." Reuters

September 8, 2021. Wales 0 Estonia 0: Wales's qualification hopes took a severe blow when they were held to a frustrating goalless draw against a team who had lost all three of their previous qualifiers and conceded 15 goals along the way. "It feels like a defeat playing against a team bottom of the table," said Page. "We've got to build on it, be more clinical and get a different result." Reuters

October 8, 2021. Czech Republic 2 (Pesek 38', Ward og 49') Wales 2 (Ramsey 36', James 69'): An exciting game in Prague ended all square, a result that ensured Wales remained third in Group E, trailing the Czech Republic on goal difference, albeit with a game in hand. "I thought the lads were outstanding, we've created enough to win four games of football," said Page. "To take the game to them in the manner we did, they deserve full credit." PA

October 11, 2021. Estonia 0 Wales 1 (Moore 12'): Kieffer Moore's close range finish early in the game earned the Welsh an unconvincing win in a match where the home side could count themselves unfortunate not to have grabbed at least a point. "We knew we weren't going to dominate and we knew it was going to be an ugly game," said Page. "In the second half, we had to dig a trench and defend resolutely." AFP

November 13, 2021. Wales 5 (Ramsey 3', pen 50', N. Williams 20', B.Davies 77', C.Roberts 89') Belarus 1 (Kontsevoy 87'): Wales marked Bale's 100th cap with a thumping victory over Belarus to move up to second place in the group. "I'm really pleased with the performance," said Page. "When we had opportunities we were clinical, to a man I thought they were all magnificent." AFP

November 16, 2021 Wales 1 (Moore 32') Belgium 1 (De Bruyne 12'): Bale was unavailable for the draw that secured them a home play-off semi-final match. Kevin de Bruyne's stylish finish put Belgium ahead, only for Kieffer Moore to level. "I thought some of our play was outstanding at times and we thoroughly deserved the point," said Page. "When this place is rocking with the fans behind us, we don't fear anybody." EPA

(Play-off semi-final) Wales 2 (Bale 25', 51') Austria 1 (Sabitzer 65'): A brilliant Bale double took Wales a step closer to their first World Cup since 1958 and set-up a play-off final against Ukraine. “I don’t think it’s sunk in properly yet. What a game, what a night, what an occasion, said Page. “The star man turns up – I have just said to him that’s the best free-kick I have ever seen in my life." Reuters

(Play-off final) June 5, 2022. Wales 1 (Bale 34') Ukraine 0: It was that man once again as Wales' captain and talisman Bale scored the winning goal to break Ukraine hearts at a delirious Cardiff City Stadium. "It's the greatest result in history for Welsh football," Bale said. "It means everything. It's what dreams are made of. I'm speechless because I'm so happy." Reuters

Wales talisman Gareth Bale insists he is fit and “ready to go” ahead of their World Cup opener against the USA on Monday.

Bale has played only 30 minutes of football for his club Los Angeles FC since the start of October and there were fears he would be going into the Qatar finals undercooked.

But the 33-year-old is confident all is well going into the game at Al Rayyan Stadium.

“I’m right where I want to be,” Bale said. “I’m ready to go. We’ve all been training hard in the week.

“It’s game-time tomorrow and hopefully we can step up and deliver what needs to be delivered.

“It’s an incredible feeling to be here and an honour to do it for my country.

“We’re just our normal group having our normal jokes, working hard when we need to. The atmosphere is great at the hotel, at training.

“We’re really looking forward to the game and, when we’re in that mood, we normally give our best stuff.”

While Bale declared himself fully fit, manager Robert Page revealed that midfielder Joe Allen has been ruled out of the match.

The Swansea midfielder has not played since September 17 because of a hamstring injury and has been battling to be fit for Wales’ first game at the World Cup for 64 years.

“We said from the start we were going to give every possible chance but he’s not going to make it if I’m being completely honest,” said Page.

“If he breaks down, he’s definitely out for the tournament. We’re not going to push him.

“We’d have liked him to play in the first game. But we’re not going to push him and hope that he will make the second game [against Iran on Friday].”

The USA, meanwhile, have appointed Tyler Adams as their captain at the relatively young age of 23.

Adams was elected captain in a vote by about 35 players held in September and announced on the eve of the national team's tournament opener against Wales.

He will become the first African-American to wear the armband for the USA at a World Cup.

“I want to be a winner. So first off, I’m very competitive,” Adams said after manager Gregg Berhalter's announcement on Sunday.

“I want to hold the guys around me to the same standard. I don’t want to lose and then have to point the finger and say, `You let me down today'.

“I just want to make sure that everyone’s on the same page intensity wise, mentality wise, no frustration – we all buy into the same thing. And, yeah, I think I’ve been doing that since a young age.”