Gareth Bale has insisted he has not thought about what he will do if Wales fail to reach this year’s World Cup in Qatar.
The 32-year-old’s contract at Real Madrid expires in the summer and it is unclear whether he will join another club.
But Bale says he is not looking beyond Thursday’s crucial play-off semi-final against Austria in Cardiff as he bids to lead Wales to their first World Cup finals since 1958.
“I have not thought about anything other than this game or planned for anything after,” he said. “Thinking about the future can cause doubts in your mind, so I have not been thinking about that. It is a distraction.”
Former Tottenham star Bale, who has played only 77 minutes for Real Madrid since August, added: “I wouldn’t say it would be a regret if I did not play in a World Cup, as it is not really in my hands, but it is something I would love to achieve for myself, my country, the fans of Wales.
“It will only be a regret if we don’t give 100 per cent and leave anything in the tank.”
The winner of Thursday’s semi-final in Cardiff had been due to face the winner of Scotland against Ukraine next Tuesday, but that game has been postponed because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Qatar also looks like being Cristiano Ronaldo’s last crack at World Cup glory, given he will be 41 when the 2026 tournament starts.
His Portugal side host Turkey in their semi-final on Thursday, with the winners playing either Italy or North Macedonia.
Portugal will be without both of their first-choice centre-backs, after Pepe tested positive for Covid and Manchester City’s Ruben Dias failed to recover from a hamstring injury.
European champions Italy have also been ravaged by injuries and their side will not bear much resemblance to the team that beat England at Wembley last summer.
Sweden face Czech Republic in Thursday’s other semi-final. The winners will play Poland, who were given a bye to their final after Russia were thrown out of the qualifiers.
