Wales star Gareth Bale, right, battles for the ball with Iran’s Saeid Ezatolahi during a match on Friday.
(Manu Fernandez / Associated Press)
Where: Ahmed bin Ali Stadium
Time: 11 a.m. PST Tuesday
TV: FS1, Universo, Peacock Premium
The buzz: Wales’ return to the World Cup after a 64-year absence will be a short one without a victory over unbeaten England in its group-stage finale. But the Dragons will be without first-choice keeper Wayne Hennessey, who drew a late red card in this team’s 2-0 loss to Iran, and could be without captain Gareth Bale, whose fitness issues leaves coach Rob Page with a decision to make ahead of his team’s third game in nine days.
Bale, 33, and veteran Aaron Ramsey, 31, have arguably been liabilities more than assets through Wales’ first two matches, with a draw against the U.S. preceding the loss to Iran. But benching his captain and vice-captain in a game Wales must win would be a bold move.
Unbeaten England, which leads the group with four points, is in much safer territory. A win or a tie and it’s through. Even a loss would not eliminate England unless Wales makes up a six-goal differential to the English.
