Wales head coach Rob Page has said his team’s World Cup opener against the U.S. men’s national team will be a winnable game.
Wales defeated Ukraine 1-0 in Sunday’s UEFA World Cup qualifying playoff final, sealing the final place in World Cup Group B alongside England, Iran and the USMNT.
The U.S. and Wales will both kick off their World Cup campaigns on November 21 at Al Rayyan Stadium, and Page has circled that match as well as the game against Iran as prime opportunities to pick up three points.
“We go with the confidence we have had going into any game,” Page told the BBC.
“We have played against the USA. We know they are a really strong outfit. We played against their European-based players in my first game (a 0-0 draw in a friendly in November 2020).
“They [and Iran] are winnable games and, when you play against a home nations team, anything can happen. We will go toe to toe with anybody – bring it on. That’s the attitude we have got in that changing room.”
Wales makes history
With the win over Ukraine, Wales reached the World Cup for the first time since 1958.
On reaching Qatar, Page added: “It’s one of those surreal moments where you wake up and realize we are off to the World Cup. It is unbelievable.
“Even at the final whistle last night, I was thinking ‘is this a cruel dream that I am having?’ But then when you realize it’s reality, coming back to the hotel and celebrating with the players last night, then waking up this morning and having that realization again that we have done it.
“It’s such a proud moment for the nation.”
[lawrence-related id=2859,2798,2779]