Wales: QPR, Cardiff City, Man United and Bournemouth starlets get maiden call-up
AFC Bournemouth midfielder Charlie Stevens is among several uncapped players in the Wales U21 squad. (Photo by Nik Mesney)
Wales U21 boss Matty Jones has handed first call-ups to a trio of exciting young talents from QPR, Manchester United and Bournemouth for the final UEFA EURO U21 qualifiers.
The trio headline an exciting group selected for Wales’ final UEFA EURO U21 qualifiers, with Belgium and Austria standing between Cymru and the end of the campaign.
There is also senior-team experience in the squad, with Charlie Crew, Kai Andrews and Ronan Kpakio all having already been capped by Wales.
But there are plenty of new faces, too. Among the uncapped players are Leon Scarlett, Reece Munro and Charlie Stevens, alongside Cardiff City youngster Noah Anyadike, Southend United goalkeeper Joe Duncan and Burton Albion’s Logan Stretch.
The Cymru U21 squad will face Belgium away in Westerlo on September 29 before returning home to take on Austria at Caernarfon on October 6.
Cymru U21 squad features three senior-capped players
Charlie Crew, Kai Andrews and Ronan Kpakio provide some valuable experience in a squad which also contains several players stepping up at this level. All three have already represented the senior Wales side.
The squad also includes a group of uncapped players who have been making progress at club level.
QPR’s Leon Scarlett among the players to watch
One of the most eye-catching selections is Leon Scarlett. The 17-year-old left winger has made two Championship appearances for QPR this season.
Scarlett came off the bench against Charlton Athletic and West Brom, building on his senior debut against Ipswich Town in May 2026.
Now he has been handed an opportunity with the Cymru U21 squad.
Reece Munro is another intriguing addition.
The centre-back plays for Manchester United’s Under-21 side and has already featured against Ipswich Town and Leicester City in the Premier League 2. Munro is also eligible to represent Grenada, according to Transfermarkt.
Eight-cap Wales U19 midfielder steps up and Noah Anyadike’s remarkable Cardiff City breakthrough
Charlie Stevens is another player with a strong academy pedigree.
The Bournemouth defensive midfielder has eight caps for Wales U19. He was also named on the Premier League bench for the Cherries against Brighton & Hove Albion in January 2026.
Noah Anyadike is a name attracting plenty of attention. The Cardiff City academy player, who comes from Carmarthenshire, made his senior debut in the Bluebirds’ EFL Cup defeat to Norwich City. He did so at just 15 years and 98 days old.
The other uncapped players in the Wales U21 squad
There are several other uncapped players included alongside Scarlett, Munro, Stevens and Anyadike.
Joe Duncan has been called up after establishing himself as Southend United’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Duncan is on loan at Southend from Bristol City and has played eight matches this season, keeping one clean sheet. Southend are currently fourth, and the goalkeeper is also eligible to represent Jamaica and England.
Logan Stretch is another uncapped selection. He is with Burton Albion on loan from Sheffield Wednesday.
Luke Armstrong is also included after previously being named in the June 2025 squad. He is now with Raith Rovers on loan from Cardiff City, having spent a spell at Penybont in the Cymru Premier after moving there on loan.
Robert Tankiewicz completes the list of other uncapped players, with the Cardiff City youngster also included.
Cymru U21 fixtures against Belgium and Austria
The Cymru U21 side will face Belgium away in Westerlo on Tuesday, September 29, before returning to Wales to take on Austria at Caernarfon on Tuesday, October 6, at 5.30 pm.
The Belgium fixture kicks off at 7.00 pm and will be the first of the two final UEFA EURO U21 qualifiers. Cymru will then finish the campaign on home soil against Austria, with the Caernarfon fixture bringing the qualifying campaign to a conclusion.
