Robert Page will announce his 26-man squad for Wales' first World Cup in 64 years shortly after 19:00 GMT.

Captain Gareth Bale and midfielder Joe Allen are among the fitness concerns, while forward Rubin Colwill and Tyler Roberts are recovering from injuries.

Wales face the United States in their opening World Cup match on 21 November.

They are joined in Group B by Iran and England, who name their squad on Thursday.

Page has previously indicated that he has already decided on the majority of the 26 players he will be taking with him to Qatar, but there will still be a nervous wait for many on Wednesday night.

As well as contemplating his final few choices, the former Wales centre-back will have his fingers crossed that all his players emerge unscathed from the remaining fixtures before club football pauses for the start of the World Cup.

Image source, FAW

Let's get back to the issue at hand shall we?

Tonight's squad selection.

Rob Page is the man who will pick the 26 players who will represent Wales.

Let's have a look at some of the key issues he is facing.

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Just 10 days after drawing with Belgium, Wales discovered their play-off fate.

Having avoided the draw's less favourable opponents in Portugal and Italy, Wales were first tasked with a semi-final against Austria before a potential final against Scotland or Ukraine.

Fast forward to March 2022 and yet another vintage Gareth Bale performance, as he guided Wales to a 2-1 win over Austria.

After first scoring a sublime free-kick, Bale scored a second on the turn from a nice short-corner routine before Marcel Sabitzer's deflected shot set up a grandstand finish in Cardiff.

But Wales held on, and set up a winner-takes-all showdown against Ukraine - who beat Scotland 3-1 in an heroic effort with their country enshrouded in trauma amid the ongoing war with Russia.

Wales' 64-year wait to reach a World Cup finally came to an end on 5 June, as Gareth Bale's deflected first-half free-kick was enough to secure a 1-0 win over an inspirational Ukrainian team on an unforgettable night in Cardiff.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Almost a year ago to the day, Wales began the final leg of their Group E campaign knowing they needed four points to secure a play-off spot.

First up was Belarus, and having almost been embarrassed by their opponents in the away leg, Wales made sure there was to be no repeat as they scored five times on the way to a thumping win.

The match marked Gareth Bale's 100th cap and a first international goal for Ben Davies - on his 68th appearance for his country.

That victory set up a mouth watering finale against the then-number one side in the world, Belgium, under the floodlights in Cardiff with a draw needed for Rob Page's side.

Things started badly as Kevin de Bruyne's effort from outside the area put the visitors in front in the 12th minute.

However Kieffer Moore sent the Red Wall wild as he equalised in the 32nd minute, turning home Dan James' cross.

Wales could even have won it late on through Neco Williams, but the 1-1 draw was secured and with it a home play-off semi-final.

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With Wales already nine points behind Group E leader Belgium, albeit having played a game less, the target had become to secure second spot and a play-off match.

To do that they'd need to finish above the Czech Republic, and next up was a trip to Prague and a chance to add to the advantage gained in that earlier win at home.

The match proved to be a thrilling one, with confident finishes from Aaron Ramsey and Dan James cancelled out by a breakaway goal by Jakub Pesek and a calamitous own goal from Wales goalkeeper Danny Ward.

The 2-2 draw meant Wales remained third in Group E, behind Czech Republic on goal difference, and although Wales had a game in hand the Czech's draw with Belgium earlier in the campaign meant they still had a chance.

However, after the confident display in Prague came an uncharacteristically shaky performance in Tallinn against Estonia.

Thankfully Wales found the win they needed courtesy of Kieffer Moore's 12th minute tap in, but could not add to that lead on a nervy night.

Image source, Getty Images

Of all the potential slip-ups during the campaign, perhaps the biggest was avoided in the third qualification match against Belarus.

Having lost to Belgium in the opening match, anything but a win would have effectively ended Wales' World Cup hopes.

Gareth Bale's sixth minute penalty got them off to the perfect start, but they found themselves 2-1 down at half-time after shock goals from Vitali Lisakovich and Pavel Sedko.

As so often has been in the past though, Bale stepped up when his country needed him most, and after converting a second penalty the forward scored in the 93rd minute to save Wales' blushes.

Unfortunately for Rob Page's side, it proved an international window to forget, as a goalless draw at home against Estonia three days later did Wales no favours.

Estonia, who were winless in Group E and ranked 110th in the world, had the better of the first half before Wales missed a raft of chances after the break but could not find a breakthrough.

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Wales' quest to reach a first World Cup since 1958 began just over 18 months ago, in Leuven, Belgium.

An away game against group favourites Belgium was always going to be a tough way to start the campaign, but Harry Wilson's goal after 11 minutes gave Wales hope.

Unfortunately for Rob Page's side they could not hold onto the lead, as Kevin de Bruyne, Thorgan Hazard and Romelu Lukaku scored on the way to a 3-1 win for the hosts.

Defeat for Wales meant there was extra pressure on their home match against Czech Republic six days later.

The game proved to be a fiery encounter at the Cardiff City Stadium, with Connor Roberts and Patrik Schick both shown red cards during the match.

But the crucial contribution came from Dan James in the 81st minute as he headed home Gareth Bale's cross to earn Wales a vital win.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

So we've set the stage.

Wales' squad announcement is a couple of hours away.

But how did we get here?

I mean Wales, how did Wales get here, to their first World Cup in 64-years?

My BBC Sport colleague Phil Marsh has been taking a look back at Wales' long and winding road to Qatar.

Robert Earnshaw
Former Wales striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

I'm happy that Gareth Bale has made it to a World Cup. I was there when he came in at 16, looking at him for the first time and he had the exact same enthusiasm for Wales as he has now.

He keeps delivering. He's always been ready, he's always been a leader and a special talent. I'm nervous about his fitness, but I know whatever minutes he hasn't got in club football, when he puts the red shirt on, he is ready. That is the special magic he has in his boots.

I think Rob Page will look at that group [with England, USA and Iran] and he'll be confident. England will be favourites, but with their results this year, they are not guaranteed to get out of the group. Success is getting out the group and going further. I believe we can beat the USA and Iran, then hopefully be looking at England having already qualified.

Robert Earnshaw
Former Wales striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Gary Speed really started the whole thing. It is about building the harmony in the squad, the character, it is just as important as the players and their performance on the pitch. [Rob Page] is very loyal, he understands what is required from the whole squad as well as the eleven that plays.

There will be players who have not played much or play in the lower leagues but have proven themselves over a period of time. The Aaron Ramseys, the Gareth Bales, the Dan James, Kieffer Moore, these guys will be there, but he's picking a squad of players who will make others better whether they play or not.

Robert Earnshaw
Former Wales striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

The announcement is huge. It is exciting for everyone else but a nervous time for a few in the squad thinking, 'Who is going to make the squad?'.

It is a huge achievement; 64 years since the last World Cup. It is huge.

Former Wales striker Rob Earnshaw was on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast this morning to preview the squad announcement.

Here are a few of the highlights from the ex-teammate of Wales boss Robert Page.

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It's fair to say both Wales and the United States of America have gone with pretty different vibes for their respective World Cup squad announcements.

While the iconic Empire State Building in New York will be lit red, white and blue to celebrate the USA's announcement in a couple of hours, the Wales signs you see on the Tylorstown Welfare Hall are about as much fanfare as we can expect.

Let's be clear here... While the United States of America will unveil their World Cup squad (to face Wales, England and Iran) at the Empire State Building, Wales' World Cup announcement comes from the slightly less famous Tylorstown Welfare Hall.

The building was built in 1933 as a place for the community outside work and home - it is the home to the Pendyrus Male Voice Choir - and it is the last remaining welfare hall in Rhondda Fach.

Tickets have been sold for tonight's squad announcement, with proceeds going towards the upkeep of the Welfare Hall, which suffered extensive flood damage during Storm Dennis.

But what's the connection to today's squad announcement, I hear you ask? Well, Tylorstown just happens to be the hometown of Wales boss Robert Page.

Wales' 1958 manager, Jimmy Murphy, came from just up the road in Pentre.

It's very much a Rhondda thing.

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I know and you know that a bucket hat being packed for Qatar and worn in the pub or your living room, is essential during Wales World Cup games.

Luckily, BBC Wales know this also.

The bucket hat even sneaked in when Rob Page answered the burning questions of the day.

Who would Page most like to sign for Wales if it was possible?

Answer: Kevin De Bruyne.

Wales manager Rob Page completed his morning with a trip back to school as he headed to Penyrenglyn Primary School in the Rhondda Fawr valley.

Page will name his World Cup squad in his nearby hometown of Tylorstown tonight, but you know that, right? Otherwise why would you be here?

Image source, FAW

After visiting the Jimmy Murphy plaque, Rob Page then opened a new 3G pitch.

Image source, FAW