Daniel James has reflected on his family, as he and the Wales squad prepare to take on the USA in their first World Cup match in 64 years.
James’ father, Kevan, sadly passed away in 2019. The Fulham forward has reflected on what his father meant to him ahead of the game against the USA.
‘I wouldn’t be in this position today without him. He took me to north Wales camp when I was 12 years old’
‘He emailed the person there to say I was eligible to play for Wales. If he didn’t then I wouldn’t be here today’
‘That Slovakia game when I scored on my debut he was there and I’m so glad that before he passed away, he got to see me play for Wales’
‘It’s down to him that I’m playing here today. Whenever I pull that Wales shirt on, I always think of him.’
James himself is now a father and he has revealed that his son has been such a positive in his life.
‘He’s 13 months now. I don’t think it’s changed the way I play football. But family is so important, having a little one changes your life for the better’
‘Coming home every day saying, ‘you’ve had a bad day in training’ but then going home to that always gives you a spark and strives you on to do more.’
On the field, James secured a loan move to south London on deadline day, and he admits he had the World Cup in mind when making the decision.
‘I was there for a season [at Leeds] and really enjoyed it. Loved the place and my family loved it there. It was tough, it was deadline day, and it was last minute’
‘I was thinking about the World Cup and maybe I was going to get more game time. That was always on my mind’
‘I’ve never thought since I’ve made the wrong decision. I still believe I made the right one.’
At Fulham, James plays alongside Antonee Robinson. Robinson, who has won 29 caps for the US, could line up on the same flank as James, and the Welsh winger is relishing the challenge against his teammate.
‘He’s a great player, he has been absolutely unbelievable this season. Going forward he’s been great. He’s always a problem for wingers because he’ll always run you that way’
‘But he’s been incredible defensively as well. He’s shown that. Maybe people doubted him going to the Premier League’
‘Is he going to do the defensive side that much because he’s classed as an attacking full-back? He’s definitely shown that and if we do play against each other, it would be a good match-up.’
Looking at the USA in general, James believes it’s a good matchup between two even sides, but says the pressure is all on their American counterparts.
‘We played against them in Swansea, and they played all their European players because of Covid’
‘They’re a very athletic team, played with two players at Leeds [Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson], great attitudes’
‘Think it will be a great match up. Going to the World Cup they’ve got expectations of going through. With us it’s just about how we can go into every game believing we can win and with full confidence’
Wales face the USA in Group B of the World Cup on Monday 21st of November, with kick off at 7pm.
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