Leeds United loanee Daniel James has played down the importance of Wales' World Cup clash with England in the final Group B fixture. The two home nations have been drawn against each other and will face each other in similar fashion to the Euro 2016 tournament.
The two nations played in the second round of fixtures in that tournament, with Daniel Sturridge grabbing a late winner for the Three Lions in added time. However, it was Wales who would top the group and reach the semi-finals of the tournament.
England would fare better in the most recent European Championship last year, reaching the final and losing on penalties to Italy. For Wales, this is their first World Cup finals since 1958, something that James thinks will make the tournament that extra bit special.
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Speaking to Sky Sports, James said: "Yeah I think it does [make it special having to wait so long]. I think it being in November as well is very strange for us all.
"For us, it's normal because it's our first time going. It's going to be absolutely brilliant. We missed out in the Euros of fans going to the games because of the way it was with Covid.
"We were in Azerbaijan and places that people couldn't come and now they're able to. I'm sure there's going to be so many fans out there and looking forward to it just as much as we are.
"We're definitely not there to make up the numbers. We fully deserve to be in there, we qualified. You know, we go into every game thinking we can get the best result out of it.
"As before, we've got no pressure at all going to the games. We've just got to go out and enjoy it."
Wales will take on England in the final game of the group stages, with both sides hoping qualification to the knockouts is secure by that stage. "I think you just take it as every other game," said James.
"Obviously from the outside it's a massive game, two home nations playing against each other. You know what happened in the Euros in 2016.
"I don't think I'm looking forward to that game more than others, I'm just looking forward to every one. You think about that game too much and you don't put yourself right in the first two."
Wales will be hoping talisman Gareth Bale is on song for his country, as he has been on so many occasions. James added: "We were speaking about it before, he's done it everywhere he's gone and it doesn't matter. He's been out there and come on in extra-time and he's the perfect man for the job.
"You give him a chance of scoring and just got to hope he's fit going into that World Cup."
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