Finn Surman Battles for the Ball Against Lionel Messi
The 2026 World Cup will commence on June 11, featuring 48 teams competing across North America over a six-week period.
The opening match will be Mexico versus South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, with the final scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Wales, however, will not be participating this year following their defeat to Bosnia-Herzegovina on March 26.
Nonetheless, one player born in Wales will be taking part in the World Cup: Finn Surman.
Surman to Play Against Chile on March 30, 2026
Finn Surman was born in Cardiff on September 23, 2003, but his family relocated to New Zealand when he was a young boy.
He played for Selwyn United and Lower Hutt City AFC in New Zealand's lower divisions before joining Wellington Phoenix, the country's premier team, in 2021.
In 2024, Surman transferred to the Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top division in the United States.
Now 22 years old and playing as a central defender, Surman has earned 18 caps for New Zealand, scoring twice.
Surman is not the only link between the New Zealand squad and Wales; defender Liberato Cacace plays for Wrexham, and midfielder Marko Stamenić is with Swansea City.
Playing Against Colombia on November 15, 2025
It is not uncommon for national teams to include players born outside the country. Wales itself has several players in its squad born abroad.
At this year's World Cup, 25 of the 26 players in Curaçao's squad were born in the Netherlands; 13 in Algeria's squad were born in France; 12 of Haiti's squad were born in France; six in Morocco's squad were born in Spain; five in Turkey's squad were born in Germany; and four in Iraq's squad were born in Sweden.
There are many other examples, illustrating the international nature of modern football.
Considering the disappointment felt in Wales after Craig Bellamy's squad failed to qualify for this championship, there may be some consolation in knowing that a player born in the Welsh capital has found his way to North America.
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Also of Interest:
- Photos: Memorable Wales Football Shirts
- Roberts and Davies Return to Wales Squad to Face Ghana and Romania
- Wales Secures Draw Against Ghana in Cardiff
