Wales boss Robert Page calls for 26-man World Cup squads

Wales manager Robert Page wants to see an increase in World Cup squad size from 23 to 26 players.

Wales head to Qatar in November – when average temperatures are 29C – after qualifying for a first World Cup since 1958.

Squads for last year’s European Championship, which Wales played in, were capped at 26. That allowed three additional squad places, and Page would like a repeat.

With demands on the players, I would like a 26-man squad, absolutely- Wales manager Robert Page

While there has been no official approach from the Football Association of Wales to FIFA, Page said: “Of course I am (pushing for it).

“With demands on the players, I would like a 26-man squad, absolutely. I am just voicing my opinion at the moment.

“I think we will speak with administrators now and see how we can approach that.

“I supported it last year, I thought it was absolutely the right thing to do to go to 26, and I would like it again.

“Ultimately, the demands in those conditions with the group that we’ve got, we just need those extra bodies around us, so for me I would like 26.”

Page, whose team face a Nations League clash against Holland in Rotterdam on Tuesday, plans a trip to Qatar in the next couple of weeks to assess facilities.

In the meantime, Wales head to Holland for what will be their fifth game in 13 days – four Nations League fixtures and a World Cup play-off final victory over Ukraine.

“It’s bonkers. We’ve got four tough games anyway, but (then) throw a final in the mix off the back of a long season,” Page said.

“A lot of our players are from the Championship as well, which is a demanding division to play in.

“It has caught up with us, so there are no surprises we have picked up a few knocks.

“Having said that, this has probably