Rodon absent as Ashford earns first Wales call-up
September 15, 2026 09:30
Wales manager Craig Bellamy has included Cardiff City forward Cian Ashford in his 28-man squad for the upcoming Nations League matches, handing the 21-year-old his first senior call-up. Ashford has played in all nine of Cardiff’s league games this season and has scored twice.
Wales will be without their first-choice centre-back Joe Rodon for the Nations League stage after he was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Two other defenders — Dylan Lawlor (knee problem) and Cardiff’s Ronan Kpakio — are also absent from the squad.
KEY CONTEXT
Wales are in League A of the Nations League and will face Portugal, Denmark and Norway; their opening match is away to Portugal on 24 September, with a home game against Norway on 1 October and a return fixture with Denmark on 4 October. These are Wales’ first competitive fixtures since losing a World Cup play-off to Bosnia-Herzegovina in March.
The squad shows several returns from injury: Harry Wilson and Jordan James rejoin after missing June friendlies, and Ben Cabango is back in contention. Wes Burns has been recalled and could make his first appearance since 2024. Captain Ben Davies keeps his place after returning to club action for Tottenham following a serious ankle injury; he has not played for Wales since winning his 100th cap in October 2025.
Bellamy’s backroom team has also changed recently: Piet Cremers and James Rowberry have left and will be replaced by former Wales captain Ashley Williams and ex-Swansea manager Alan Sheehan.
WHY IT MATTERS
Losing Joe Rodon removes Wales’ established first-choice centre-back ahead of fixtures that include high-profile opponents, a factor highlighted by the presence of top-level forwards in the opposition. The defensive absences increase the importance of squad depth and the form of replacements.
The squad and staff changes come during a difficult run for Wales — the team has not won in four matches, failed to beat top-20 opponents since October 2023, and currently sit 38th in the world rankings (their lowest position since August 2014) — making the Nations League campaign an important test of recovery.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Whether Ben Davies will win his first cap since October 2025 after returning to club football.
- The fitness updates for injured Cardiff players Isaak Davies and Rubin Colwill, who are currently unavailable.
- Opponent squad announcements (Portugal, Denmark, Norway); Portugal had not named their squad at the time of this report, and Cristiano Ronaldo was reported as expected to be selected (this expectation is unconfirmed in the source).
- How Bellamy’s new coaching additions perform as Wales prepare for consecutive, challenging fixtures.
KEY FACTS
- Joe Rodon is ruled out of the Nations League squad with a hamstring injury.
- Cian Ashford receives his first senior Wales call-up; he has played in all nine of Cardiff’s league games this season and scored twice.