The Welsh Wizards - So Near Yet So Far

Wales and the 1958 World Cup

Wales has only played in the World Cup Finals once. The memory lives on because hope, glory, bravery, luck, pride, stubbornness, defeat and failure came together in these few games to create a story worth telling.

Wales were in a three team group. Wales performed under par in their away games against East Germany and Czechoslovakia in May 1957. The fight back at home to the East Germans in September 1957 led to a 4-1 win and a runners-up place that would prove vital.

Wales was out - the only Home Nation not in the World Cup Finals. Suddenly Middle East politics handed Wales a lucky break. Arab teams refused to play Israel and FIFA rules required Israel to take part in a play off before they could progress to the finals. Wales won the draw to play Israel.

Wales, with luck on their side and Ivor Allchurch back in the team again, easily beat Israel in the two play-offs. We were through to the finals!

Wales were seen as gatecrashers at the party. Their play on the pitch especially against Brazil soon silenced the critics.

In the home camp the biggest worry was whether Juventus would release John Charles to play. With three days to go, he finally got the OK.

The games were tough: Wales played cautiously, perhaps too cautiously and drew against Mexico and Sweden. While the first game against Hungary was vicious enough, the play off against them was a pitched battle. The Hungarians singled out John Charles for some especially rough treatment. Allchurch and Medwin both scored in the 2-1 win, but the casualty rate was too high. John Charles did not recover from his injuries in time for the Brazil game in the next round. Wales played well but a lucky goal from Pele ended the dreams of World Cup glory.

Will Wales ever reach the Finals again? Will we ever see a Welshman hold the Jules Rimet trophy in his hands? Perhaps the players in our fantasy team, the Welsh Wizards, will inspire the players of the future to achieve what was not to be in 1958.