Cymru connections: Who can Wales fans back at the World Cup?

Wales fans missed out on the chance to support their side at the World Cup after being beaten on penalties by Bosnia-Herzegovina in the play-offs [Getty Images] It is a question Wales fans didn't want to ask themselves. After all, the plan had been to be following Craig Bellamy's side across Canada, Mexico and the US as the country wrapped itself in its second successive bout of World Cup fever. Instead, it's the return of a conundrum that Welsh football fans had to deal with for 64 years before 2022: Who to support at the World Cup? There are those who might get behind Bosnia-Herzegovina given they were the team who eventually took Wales' potential spot in Group B, although that might be too triggering for some. Others may just pick one of 11 nations with red home kits, squint their eyes and try and pretend it's actually Harry Wilson scoring rather than Switzerland. If it sounds far-fetched, you should remember there was a period where Argentina had some Wales fans cheering them at World Cups because of the urban myth Gabriel Batistuta was from Patagonia and spoke Welsh (he wasn't and didn't). Craig Bellamy has tipped Spain or England as teams who could go far, but where is the fun in supporting a favourite? Of course, like everyone, there will be the chance to simply enjoy the spectacle and take in the stories that appear out of every twist of the five-week tournament. But, if you're looking to reasons backing one team over another, BBC Sport Wales has tried to find some justification for the early alarm calls or the expensive replica shirt purchase. The club connections Swansea City's Marko Stamenic (New Zealand) and Cameron Burgess (Australia) are two of five players from Welsh EFL clubs at the World Cup [Huw Evans Picture Agency] The straightforward option for some will be to take club loyalties into account. Wrexham fans will see two of their current squad in action. Wingback Libby Cacace called up for New Zealand after an injury-hit season, starting their recent warm-up against England. And after impressing in his first season, Dom Hyam's Cae Ras form has been rewarded with a timely recall to Steve Clarke's Scotland squad to take on Brazil, Haiti and Morrocco in Group C. New Zealand's All Whites could also be backed by Swansea fans with midfielder Marko Stamenic in their ranks for Group G games against Belgium, Egypt and Iran, the 24-year-old an international regular who has previously worn the armband. South Korea could have support in south Wales if they want to show wideman Eom Ji Sung some love in Group A after he recently forced his way into their starting line-up And the third Swansea representative is Australia's Cameron Burgess, fresh from playing in every Championship game last season, the 27-cap centre-back could feature in the Socceroo's opening Group D game having played in each of their past 17 international games. There are extra incentives to hope their players progress, too. Fifa are set to pay out a share of a £265m pool to clubs for releasing their players for the tournament. Wrexham platform driving Hyam's Scotland dream Wrexham's Cacace relishing New Zealand's World Cup challenge 11 EFL players to look out for at the World Cup The tenuous links Curaco's Kenji Gorre, now of Maccabi Haifa, made his professional debut with Swansea City in the final game of the 2014-15 Premier League season. [Getty Images] After that, things can get a little more stretched, shall we say. Curaco could be a popular choice given the joy around their debut, as well as boasting the chance to unite fans of the south Wales divide. Winger Kenji Gorre spent four years at Swansea, making one Premier League appearance, but is now on the biggest stage of all with the Caribbean nation, alongside 34-year-old Leandro Bacuna, who spent three years at Cardiff City. There is a small part of Newport County history being represented, too, with Antoine Semenyo in the Ghana squad; Manchester City's FA Cup winner made his breakthrough as an 18-year-old on loan at Rodney Parade, including being part of the side that shocked Premier League Leicester City in the FA Cup in 2019. Former Swansea forward Jordan Ayew will line up in alongside Semenyo frontline as the Black Stars' captain and leading appearance-maker - a record he shares with brother and fellow former Swan Andre Ayew. Staying with Swansea, Marc Guehi could only dream of international honours when he arrived from Chelsea on loan at the Swansea.Com in 2020, remembered fondly in an 18-month spell that saw them twice reach the play-offs - although whether it is enough for some to drop the rivalry and get behind England is another matter. Perhaps lending support to Croatia is more likely, either for the admired "punching above their weight" achievements with a not-too-dissimilar population size to Wales, or the fact age-defying captain Luka Modric is officially part of the ownership at Swansea City. Or would Wrexham fans be tempted to get behind Ryan Reynolds' Canada in return for his transformative impact on the north Wales club? And if chairmen isn't enough to sway support, perhaps backing former managers is more appealing given Sabri Lamouchi - who kept Cardiff in the Championship during a short-term spell in 2023 - will be leading Tunisia. And then there is Graham Potter is in charge of Sweden , the man who made his first breakthrough in British football at Swansea when he was tempted from Ostersund in 2018, impressing enough in one season to see him hit the Premier League with Brighton before spells at Chelsea and West Ham. Humble, powerful, ready - Semenyo returns to where World Cup rise began Ballon d'Or to boardroom – why Swansea for Modric? The chance for Welsh glory Welshman Richie Evans (left) will be helping Portugal's bid for glory with Roberto Martinez having been with when they finished third in 2018 [Getty Images] Potter is actually one of three former Swansea managers at the World Cup. There will be reason to cling to reflective glory if Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil triumph given Paul Clement - who staved off Premier League relegation in 2017 before being sacked a few months later - is the Don's assistant. And then there is Portugal , led by Roberto Martinez – a former Swansea captain and boss and still beloved in that part of south Wales. As well as helping the club stay in the Football League in 2003, Martinez took his first steps in management at the Swans four years later, bringing with him a style of football he has already taken to a third-placed finish at the World Cup with Belgium in 2018. He would wear a Welsh flag as an armband while skippering Swansea and has kept close ties with his old home, studying for his coaching qualifications in Wales, and speaking to prospective candidates in Newport on the same course via video link in the last few weeks. Perhaps most significantly, he has a Welshman as a key member of his dugout. The son of former Wales and Swansea winger Brian, Richie Evans spent a decade as physio at the Swans – including the cash-strapped days at the Vetch – but has been a trusted lieutenant of Martinez at Swansea, Wigan, Everton and now Portugal, serving as head of performance in their bid for tournament glory. As well as his Swansea ties, Evans was a winger in the first Newport line-ups after the club reformed following liquidation in 1989. But away from that Cymru connection, there is another reason for Wales fans to keep an eye on Portugal and perhaps hope they lift the trophy. Because once the World Cup is done and dusted, the Nations League kicks-off in the autumn, with Portugal's first fixture after north America a home game with Wales. It could give Craig Bellamy's side the chance to beat them and try and lay claim to being unofficial world champions. Or perhaps backing the hosts is more your thing. If the US are successful, perhaps there can be a nod to Caersws where former Bangor City and Aberystwyth Town player Phil Woosnam was born. After retiring from a playing career including West Ham and Aston Villa, he headed to the States where - as well as coaching the national side - he was commissioner of the NASL and helped with the formation of Pele's New York Cosmos before playing a part in securing the staging of the 1994 World Cup. He is in the US Soccer's Hall of Fame and has been described as the father of the professional game in the country. So, as the World Cup continues without Wales, be safe in the knowledge that there's always a link if you look hard enough. Either that, or just sit back and enjoy the World Cup, let football be the winner – and just hope that there's no need to try and work out who to back in 2030. World Cup fixtures and group standings How to watch the World Cup on the BBC Everything you need to know about the World Cup