In this Wednesday, July 6, 2016 file photo, Wales's Gareth Bale acknowledges the fans at the end of their Euro 2016 semifinal soccer match against Portugal. | AP 
Football

World Cup 2018 qualifiers: Gareth Bale ruled out of Wales' final two games

The 28-year-old forward missed Real Madrid's league game with Espanyol on Sunday but reported to the Wales camp the following morning.

From our online archive

CARDIFF: Wales says Gareth Bale has been ruled out of its final two World Cup qualifiers.

Bale's fitness has been a source of concern for Wales since sustaining a calf muscle strain against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last week.

The 28-year-old forward missed Real Madrid's league game with Espanyol on Sunday but reported to the Wales camp the following morning.

The Football Association of Wales confirmed on Tuesday that Bale would miss Friday's game in Georgia and Monday's meeting with Ireland.

Wales, which reached the 2016 European Championship semifinals, is second in Group D, four points behind Serbia and one ahead of Ireland. Only the group winners are guaranteed a place at the World Cup in Russia next year.

Trump slams US Supreme Court ruling on birthright citizenship; calls it 'too bad for country'

PM Modi talks to Iran's President Pezeshkian; backs dialogue, diplomacy in West Asia

An “ocean of opportunity” and of competition

India-Japan annual summit to focus on AI, mobility roadmap and maritime cooperation

Atleast 14 children killed as roof of tutoring centre collapse in eastern Pakistan

SCROLL FOR NEXT