Wilson and Cabango withdraw from Wales squad ahead of Ghana clash
Fulham forward Harry Wilson has pulled out of Wales' upcoming friendlies, snubbing the Ghana match. Swansea defender Ben Cabango joins him, forcing new faces into the lineup for Craig Bellamy's side.
Wales manager Craig Bellamy faces a reshuffle after Fulham striker Harry Wilson withdrew from the squad for next month’s friendlies against Ghana and Romania. Wilson, 29, who has scored 14 goals in all competitions this season, is out of contract at Fulham this summer and has been linked with Premier League rivals including Aston Villa and Everton.
Defender Ben Cabango, 25, also pulled out. The Swansea City left-back made 47 appearances for the Swans this season and was an unused substitute in Wales’ World Cup play-off defeat by Bosnia in March. His absence opens the door for uncapped duo Cameron Congreve and Ollie Bostock, both called up as replacements.
Key Changes
- ✅ Harry Wilson (Fulham) withdraws, 14-goal striker out of contract
- ⚡ Ben Cabango (Swansea) also exits, 47 appearances in 2024-25
- 💡 Congreve (Dundee) and Bostock (West Brom) make debuts
Wales kick off against Ghana at Cardiff City Stadium on June 2, a match featuring one of England’s World Cup group opponents. The side then travels to face Romania in Bucharest a week later. Bellamy now has to reshape his attack and defence before both fixtures.
| Position | Withdrawn | Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| Forward | Harry Wilson | None (attack reshuffle) |
| Defender | Ben Cabango | Cameron Congreve |
Captain Ben Davies has returned from a serious ankle injury that required surgery in January. The Tottenham defender, who turns 33 this month, has not played since sustaining the damage. Connor Roberts, the Burnley right-back, could make his first competitive appearance in over a year after recovering from a groin injury and Achilles damage sustained in June 2024.
💡 Pro Tip
Wales’ attacking depth will be tested against Ghana, with Wilson’s absence forcing Bellamy to rely on fit-again forwards like Kieffer Moore and Brennan Johnson.
Chris Mepham returns from injury in defence, but midfielders Jordan James, Rubin Colwill, and forwards Liam Cullen and Mark Harris remain sidelined with minor issues. The squad includes 18 players, with da Silva, Norrington-Davies, and Rodon providing defensive cover alongside Mepham and Davies.
📋 By The Numbers
- 14 goals — Wilson’s haul for club and country this season
- 47 games — Cabango’s appearance tally for Swansea in 2024-25
- 2 June — Ghana clash at Cardiff City Stadium
Bellamy’s side will also feature new faces in midfield, with Ethan Ampadu, Josh Sheehan, and Lewis Koumas among those named. The squad blends Premier League experience with Championship talent as Wales prepare for back-to-back fixtures in early June.
- 📊 Bellamy’s attack lacks Wilson’s creativity and goals
- 🔍 Ghana’s defensive frailties could exploit Wales’ reshaped lineup
- ⚠️ Davies and Roberts’ fitness remains a concern after long absences