Aaron Ramsey Eyes World Cup Return
Wales captain Aaron Ramsey expressed that qualifying for next summer's World Cup would be "the icing on the cake" for him.
Following a convincing 7-1 victory over North Macedonia on Tuesday, Wales is now just two matches away from securing a spot in the finals, which will take place in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
The play-off draw held on Thursday revealed that Wales will face Bosnia-Herzegovina in Cardiff during the semi-finals. Should they win, they will host the winner of the match between Italy and Northern Ireland.
However, Ramsey, who has scored 21 goals in 86 appearances for Wales, has not played for the national team in 14 months due to injury. He mentioned to Sky Sports News, "There are a lot of things that need to fall into place for that [playing at the World Cup] to be a realistic target."
Ramsey has not confirmed reports regarding his departure from Pumas UNAM, where his one-year contract was reportedly terminated early. The 34-year-old joined the Mexican club last July but has only made six appearances due to injuries, with his last match occurring in September.
While Pumas has yet to officially announce his status, Ramsey indicated his openness to joining another club, stating, "We’ll see now over the next couple of weeks. I can’t play for anybody until January anyway, so we’ll see how things develop."
His stint in Mexico was also overshadowed by the disappearance of his dog, Halo, prompting his family to offer a reward for any information regarding its whereabouts.
Wales manager Craig Bellamy expressed confidence in Ramsey, stating that he "still has a lot to offer" and is hopeful to have him fit for the crucial one-legged play-off against Bosnia-Herzegovina on March 26. With home advantage for both the semi-final and a potential final, Ramsey acknowledged the significant support from fans at Cardiff City Stadium, saying, "They’ve more than played their part. They’ve been on this journey with us throughout the highs and lows."
He added, "When we’re playing at home, it’s just incredible, especially the anthem at the beginning when the music goes off; it’s a spine-tingling moment. If you can’t get up for a game of football after hearing that, then you’re in trouble."
In addition to his playing career, Ramsey served as Cardiff's interim manager for the final three games of the 2024-25 season but was unable to prevent the team's relegation from the Championship. He expressed interest in pursuing a management role after his playing days, stating, "I’ve done my badges; it’s something that I really enjoy doing. I went with Wales last week [against Liechtenstein] and gained valuable insight into everything that goes on behind the scenes—the hours, the effort, and the details that go into preparing the boys to execute a game plan. It’s addictive, so I definitely see myself going into that space."