Wales predicted XI vs. Portugal: Four key changes made with Wilson and Rodon out

Wales get a challenging Nations League campaign underway on Thursday evening away to Portugal – and their odds of earning a first win of 2026 have only been lengthened by a string of injury problems in the build-up.

Harry Wilson, Karl Darlow and Joe Rodon are among the key players who have been ruled out, and manager Craig Bellamy will be compelled to ring the changes at the start of a League A campaign which will also see Wales take on Norway and Denmark over the course of the extended international break.

With kick-off in Lisbon fast approaching, we’ve collected all of the latest Wales team news and injury updates below along with our prediction for Bellamy’s likely starting line-up.

Wilson & Darlow among withdrawals as Wales face injury issues

Wales’ preparations for the four matches they’ll play over the coming three weeks were hit by bad news on Monday when three players withdrew from the squad citing injury concerns.

Leeds United playmaker Harry Wilson (quadriceps) and Wrexham forward Nathan Broadhead (thigh) were both known to be injury risks when they were named in Bellamy’s initial squad, but the loss of Karl Darlow has come as a surprise given that he was on the bench for Manchester United’s recent 1-1 draw with Fulham.

Bellamy’s first-choice goalkeeper has pulled out with an unspecified injury issue, meaning that Danny Ward is likely to take over between the sticks – and he will play behind a defence which has also been hit by injuries.

Joe Rodon hasn’t played since the end of August due to a hamstring injury that is likely to sideline him until November, meaning that the 28-year-old centre-back could also miss Wales’ final two Nations League matches in the next international break. Young Cardiff City defender Dylan Lawlor was left out of the squad as he continues his recovery from a knee injury, while his club team-mate Rubin Colwill misses out with an ankle problem.

Three potential debutants against Portugal as Bellamy makes changes

Bellamy is likely to stick with his 4-2-3-1 formation despite being forced to make a number of changes, but he faces a few crucial selection decisions including whether to utilise Ethan Ampadu in midfield or as a centre-back with Rodon and Lawlor both unavailable.

Ben Cabango, Rhys Norrington-Davies and Chris Mepham are all options at centre-half, while Ben Davies is back in the squad for the first time since winning his hundredth cap against Belgium last October.

Further forward, Jordan James is expected to act as the most attacking member of the midfield in the absence of Wilson, with Dan James and Brennan Johnson likely to start on the wings. Liverpool youngster Lewis Koumas could challenge Kieffer Moore for the starting spot up front, but the veteran is expected to have the edge for the start of the Nations League campaign.

Four players could make their debut against Portugal: Teenage Leeds defender Jayden Lienou, 21-year-old Cardiff forward Cian Ashford, Huddersfield Town striker Joe Taylor and goalkeeper David Cornell, the latter two of which were called up as late injury replacements alongside midfielder Charlie Savage. None are expected to start against Portugal, however.

Wales predicted line-up vs. Portugal (4-2-3-1): Ward; Dasilva, Davies, Cabango, Williams; Ampadu, Sheehan; D James, J James, Johnson; Moore.