World Cup would be 'icing on cake' for Wales' Ramsey

Wales captain Aaron Ramsey said it would be "the icing on the cake" if he were to make next summer's World Cup.

After Tuesday's emphatic 7-1 win over North Macedonia, Wales are just two games away from qualifying for the finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Thursday's play-off draw confirmed that Wales will play Bosnia-Herzegovina in Cardiff in the semi-finals, and if they win that game host the winner of the tie between Italy and Northern Ireland.

But Ramsey, who has scored 21 goals in 86 appearances for Wales, has not featured for Craig Bellamy's side in 14 months due to injury.

"There are a lot of things that need to fall into place for that [playing at the World Cup] to be a realistic target," the midfielder told Sky Sports News.

Ramsey did not confirm he has left Pumas UNAM, amid reports that the 34-year-old's one-year contract with the Mexican top-flight club he joined last July has been terminated early.

Pumas are also yet to confirm that Ramsey is no longer their player, although he did suggest he is open to joining another club.

"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," he added.

The ex-Arsenal and Juventus midfielder had said he was "excited by the challenge" of joining Pumas following his departure from Cardiff City at the end of last season, but has only made six appearances due to injury problems, with the last coming in September.

Ramsey's time in Mexico was also marred by the disappearance of his dog Halo, with the family offering a reward for information about his whereabouts.

Bellamy said Ramsey "still has a lot to offer" and will be hoping to have him fit for that one-legged play-off against Bosnia-Herzegovina on 26 March.

Wales have home advantage for both the semi-final and a potential final, with Ramsey saying the fans at Cardiff City Stadium "have been huge".

"They've more than played their part. They've been on this journey with us throughout the highs and lows," he told TalkSport.

"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."

Ramsey had been Cardiff interim manager for the final three games of the 2024-25 season but was unable to prevent the Bluebirds' relegation from the Championship.

But he said management is a route he would definitely like to take after his playing days.

"I've done my badges, it's something that I really enjoy doing," he said.

"I went with Wales last week [against Liechtenstein] and had some really good insight into everything that goes on behind the scenes - the hours, the effort and the details - that goes into preparing the boys as best they can to execute a game plan.

"It's addictive, so I definitely see myself going into that space."