Leeds United star's World Cup disappointment clear with 'it's not easy' admission
Karl Darlow and his Wales teammates won’t be heading to the World Cup this summer.
Leeds United goalkeeper Karl Darlow admits it has been difficult heading into the Wales camp this month with no World Cup to look forward to.
Darlow and four other Leeds players have been in Cardiff this week preparing to bookend their 2025/26 campaign with two friendlies. On Tuesday, they drew 1-1 against a Ghana side set to face England in the World Cup later this month before facing Romania on Saturday evening.
But unlike their Tuesday-evening opponents, who are in a group with England, Wales aren’t preparing for a trip across the Atlantic Ocean having fallen short in qualifying. And Darlow admits it’s been hard stepping up for two final games after a long domestic season with no major tournament to prepare for.
"I think we can all be pleased as a group for what we've done tonight, it's not easy when we have to play a friendly game when we'd rather be at the World Cup,” Darlow told BBC Match of the Day Wales. “We played a side who are going to the World Cup and they're a very good side. But we played really well tonight and I think we can be pleased with that."
Darlow was one of four Leeds players to start against Ghana on Tuesday, playing the full 90 minutes alongside midfielder Ethan Ampadu. Daniel James enjoyed an action-packed 60-minute showing while Joe Rodon was taken off with seven minutes of normal time remaining.
Karl Darlow on Wales performance and result
James hit the woodwork twice in quick succession during the first-half but Wales went behind on 68 minutes through Caleb Yirenkyi. They looked set for a disappointing defeat until substitute Lewis Koumas levelled in added-time - but Darlow believed his side’s performance warranted more.
"I think we probably deserved the win to be honest with you,” the Leeds and Wales goalkeeper said. “With the way that we played first half, we dominated possession and created a lot of chances so I think if we would have gone one or two goals up in the first half it could have been a comfortable result.
"It was unfortunate for the goal, it just deflected off Joe [Rodon] and hit the post and it's gone in. So it was unfortunate and on another day we keep a clean sheet, but it's just not to be tonight.”
Darlow and his Welsh Leeds teammates will now prepare for one final game against Romania on Saturday evening before heading off for their summer break. Fellow Whites member Jayden Lienou might also hope to make his international debut having been called up for the first time.