How NINE players in the Wales squad were actually born in ENGLAND

Over the Red Wall! How NINE players in the Wales World Cup squad were actually born across the border in ENGLAND – earning them the nickname ‘England B’

They proudly belted out the Welsh national anthem as they took part in the nation’s first World Cup game in 64 years.

But nine players in the Wales squad who salvaged a draw against the United States were actually born across the border in England, leading them to be dubbed ‘England B’ by a cheeky few.

They are some of 137 footballers not representing their country of birth at the World Cup in Qatar.

Wales has the fourth highest number of foreign-born players out of the 32 nations competing for football’s top prize and 17 players in their 26-man squad play in England.

They proudly belted out the Welsh national anthem as they took part in the nation’s first World Cup game in 64 years. But nine players in the Wales squad who salvaged a draw against the United States were actually born across the border in England

Defender Chris Mepham, 25, and winger Sorba Thomas, 23, were both born in the capital London, while centre-back Ethan Ampadu, 22, and striker Kieffer Moore, 30, who both starred in Wales’ 1-1 draw on Monday, were born in the south west of England, in Exeter and Torquay respectively.

League One players Joe Morrell, 25, and Matthew Smith, 23, were born in Ipswich and Redditch and League Two midfielder Jonny Williams, 29, was born in Kent.

And Premier League stars Daniel James, 25, and Brennan Johnson, 21, were born in Hull and Nottingham.

The nine players qualify to represent Wales through their Welsh lineage and they have represented the nation a combined 246 times.

Defender Chris Mepham, 25, and winger Sorba Thomas, 23, were both born in the capital London

Ampadu played once for England under 16s, Johnson made seven appearances across England’s under 16 and 17s teams and Moore won one cap for England C – the country’s non-league team, before they switched international allegiances.

Moore, who made his Wales debut in 2019 having qualified through his Gwynedd-born grandfather insists he has no mixed loyalties.

And he is looking forward to the final group game against England on November 29.

‘I can’t wait to knock them out, it would be amazing,’ he said.

‘There will be no mixed loyalties. I can’t remember much (about being capped by England C). It was Estonia maybe and I think I came on towards the end of the game.’

Brennan Johnson, 21, was born in Nottingham. 

Centre-back Ethan Ampadu, 22, and striker Kieffer Moore, 30, who both starred in Wales’ 1-1 draw on Monday, were born in the south west of England, in Exeter and Torquay respectively

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League One players Joe Morrell, 25, and Matthew Smith, 23, were born in Ipswich

Wales has the fourth highest number of foreign-born players out of the 32 nations competing for football’s top prize and 17 players in their 26-man squad play in England. Jonny Williams is pictured left while Daniel James is pictured right

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