The Nottingham Forest defender believes Wales could have shocked the world in Qatar if they'd beaten Ukraine in the playoffs.
Nottingham Forest defender Neco Williams can't shake the disappointment of Wales' failure to reach the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, admitting the missed opportunity continues to eat at him months later. The 22-year-old remains convinced that Rob Page's squad would have made serious waves on football's biggest stage if they had overcome Ukraine in their crucial playoff final.
Wales came agonizingly close to ending their 64-year World Cup drought, but fell 1-0 to Ukraine in Cardiff in June 2022. Williams, who has emerged as a key player for both club and country, believed the Welsh dragons possessed the perfect blend of experience and hunger to surprise the traditional powerhouses in Qatar.
The timing of Wales' absence was particularly painful given the tournament's location and the strong showing from other smaller nations. Morocco's historic run to the semi-finals proved that African and underdog teams could compete with anyone when the stakes were highest, something Williams felt Wales could have emulated.
"We had the squad, we had the belief, and we had players who weren't afraid of the big moments," Williams reflected on what might have been. "Seeing how the tournament played out, especially with teams like Morocco showing what's possible when you play without fear, it just reinforces how much we missed out on. That hurt isn't going away anytime soon."
