Wales boss Rob Page insists his players are 'passionate' about wearing the One Love armband in Qatar to raise awareness about human rights issues... and says the team want to see 'long-term change' in the Middle East
- Wales boss Rob Page has spoken out about the 'difficulties' facing managers
- The Welshman will oversee Wales' second-ever World Cup appearance
- Manager Page reiterated that his players will be wearing the OneLove armband
- Wales get their World Cup campaign underway against the USA on Monday
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results
Wales manager Rob Page has addressed the 'difficulty' of playing in a World Cup in the controversial nation of Qatar as the hosts got the tournament underway on Sunday evening.
Wales don't kick off their campaign until Monday when they take on USA in their opening Group B match. England will play Iran in the group's other fixture.
Page was asked about the conflicting issues surrounding Qatar's human rights record and the decision made by FIFA to press on with the tournament in the Middle East.
Investigations into the treatment of migrant workers working on World Cup stadiums in the Gulf State has shown that numerous workers died in the process.
Page leads Wales to their first World Cup since 1958 and said the team will support movements such as the OneLove armband in a bid to 'continue to champion issues'.
Speaking to the BBC, Page said: 'It's been difficult, hasn't it. We've been thrown many questions over the last month and what we want is long-term change and if we can achieve that, then great.
![Wales boss Rob Page says managers have been put in a 'difficult' situation at the Qatar World Cup](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/20/21/64750443-11450131-Wales_manager_Rob_Page_believes_managers_have_been_put_in_a_diff-a-1_1668980291988.jpg)
Wales boss Rob Page says managers have been put in a 'difficult' situation at the Qatar World Cup
![Wales will get their World Cup campaign underway against USA on Monday afternoon](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/20/19/64750463-11450131-image-a-7_1668970908880.jpg)
Wales will get their World Cup campaign underway against USA on Monday afternoon
![The Qatar World Cup got underway with a glamorous opening ceremony on Sunday evening](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/20/19/64751001-11450131-image-a-31_1668972098295.jpg)
The Qatar World Cup got underway with a glamorous opening ceremony on Sunday evening
'We're going to wear the One Love armband. We've said that all along.
'We're going to continue to champion issues like that, and we are going to wear the armband and that's something we're passionate about.
'With regards to everything else we're going to focus on the football now as the game is 24 hours away and we're looking forward to it.
Wales will be hoping they can force their way out of a competitive World Cup group and advance to the tournament's knockout stages and will aim to start their bow in Qatar with victory against the USA.
![Wales star Gareth Bale joined Page for the team's pre-match press conference in Doha](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/20/19/64750461-11450131-image-a-8_1668970912557.jpg)
Wales star Gareth Bale joined Page for the team's pre-match press conference in Doha
![Wales are competing at just their second-ever World Cup and first since 1958](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/20/19/64750471-11450131-image-a-10_1668970983716.jpg)
Wales are competing at just their second-ever World Cup and first since 1958
However they will be without midfield stalwart Joe Allen after Page revealed the 32-year-old will miss their opening match.
'He is probably not going to make it, to be completely honest,' announced Page.
'We said from the start we were going to give every possible chance but he's not going to make it. We could have pushed him but if he breaks down then he is out of the tournament.'
'Risk over reward. We're not going to push him to the point of losing him.'
![Page (right) met with the Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford in Qatar on Sunday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/20/19/64750695-11450131-image-a-9_1668970979518.jpg)
Page (right) met with the Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford in Qatar on Sunday
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