Ben Cabango | World Cup call up is a dream

Ben Cabango is desperate to make the most of his World Cup opportunity after being named in the Wales squad for the global showpiece.

The 22-year-old defender was among the 26 names selected by Wales boss Rob Page ahead of a campaign that will take in group games against the USA, Iran and England.

Wales are appearing at a World Cup for the first time in 64 years, with Cabango being joined by Swansea team-mate Joe Allen in the final squad.

There are also four other players in the party who came through the Swansea ranks in Ben Davies, Connor Roberts, Joe Rodon and Daniel James.

Cabango will join up with them following Swansea City’s Championship fixture against Huddersfield, and is excited at what lies ahead.

“It’s just a wicked feeling, these are the things you dream of. I have been working so hard on getting myself in the best possible shape and best possible position to be ready,” he said.

“I feel I have done that and now that I have been selected for Qatar it is an amazing feeling, it suddenly feels very real when you see your name on that screen.

“I have had so many messages from people wishing me the best and it means a lot.

“Russell Martin congratulated me, and he is someone I need to thank too, because he has helped me so much through this period.

“I have been in and out of the Wales squad, but it has been down to me to focus on playing and performing.

“I feel from the back end of last season I have been playing well consistently, I feel I have improved a lot.

“Playing in the Poland game in the Nations League was important too, I felt I did well in that game and it showed how hard I had been working.

“Now it’s the World Cup, the biggest stage, and I hope I can get some minutes. I am just looking forward to it.

“I was thinking to myself last night about what an achievement it is. It has been 64 years and when you think about some of the players who have not had the opportunity, it just makes me want to make the most of it.”