Wales national football team
Template:Short description Template:About Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use British English
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The Wales national football team (Template:Langx) represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales (FAW), the governing body for football in Wales. They have been a member of FIFA since 1946 and a member of UEFA since 1954.
Wales have qualified for the FIFA World Cup twice, in 1958 and 2022. In 1958, they reached the quarter-finals before losing to eventual champions Brazil. They then went 58 years before reaching their second major tournament, when – following a rise of 109 places from an all-time low of 117th to a peak of 8th in the FIFA World Ranking between August 2011 and October 2015<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> – they qualified for UEFA Euro 2016, where they reached the semi-finals before again losing to the eventual champions, Portugal. A second successive UEFA European Championship followed when Wales reached the round of 16 of UEFA Euro 2020. They also progressed through UEFA Euro 1976 qualifying to the quarter-finals, though this was played on a two-legged, home-and-away basis and is not considered part of the finals tournament.
Historically, the Welsh team has featured a number of players from Wales' top club teams, particularly Swansea City and Cardiff City. These two Welsh clubs play in the English league system alongside fellow Welsh clubs Wrexham, Newport County and Merthyr Town. However, most Welsh football clubs play in the Welsh football league system. As a country of the United Kingdom, Wales is not a member of the International Olympic Committee (as Welsh athletes compete for Great Britain) and therefore the national team does not compete in the Olympic Games.
HistoryEdit
The early yearsEdit
Wales played its first competitive match on 25 March 1876 against Scotland in Glasgow, making it the third-oldest international football team in the world. Although the Scots won the first fixture 4–0, a return match was planned in Wales the following year, and so it was that the first international football match on Welsh soil took place at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, on 5 March 1877. Scotland took the spoils winning 2–0. Wales' first match against England came in 1879, a 2–1 defeat at the Kennington Oval, London, and in 1882, Wales faced Ireland for the first time, winning 7–1 in Wrexham.
The associations of the four Home Nations met at the International Football Conference in Manchester on 6 December 1882 to set down a set of worldwide rules. This meeting saw the establishment of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to approve changes to the rules, a task the four associations still perform to this day. The 1883–84 season saw the formation of the British Home Championship, a tournament which was played annually between England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales until 1983–84.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Wales were champions on 12 occasions, winning outright seven times whilst sharing the title five times.
The FAW became members of FIFA, world football's governing body, in 1910, but the relationship between FIFA and the British associations was fraught and the British nations withdrew from FIFA in 1928 in a dispute over payments to amateur players. As a result, Wales did not enter the first three FIFA World Cups. In 1932, Wales played host to the Republic of Ireland, the first time they played against a side from outside the four home nations. One year later, Wales played a match outside the United Kingdom for the first time when they travelled to Paris to play France national football team in a match drawn 1–1. After World War II, Wales, along with the other three home nations, rejoined FIFA in 1946 and took part in the qualifying rounds for the 1950 World Cup, the 1949–50 Home Championships being designated as a qualifying group. The top two teams were to qualify for the finals in Brazil, but Wales finished bottom of the group.
1958 World CupEdit
The 1950s were a golden age for Welsh football with stars such as Ivor Allchurch, Cliff Jones, Alf Sherwood, Jack Kelsey, Trevor Ford, Ronnie Burgess, Terry Medwin, Mel Charles and John Charles.
Wales made their first World Cup finals tournament appearance in the 1958 FIFA World Cup in Sweden. However, their path to qualification was unusual. Having finished second to Czechoslovakia in qualifying Group 4, the golden generation of Welsh football managed by Jimmy Murphy seemed to have missed out on qualification, but the politics of the Middle East subsequently intervened. In the Asian/African qualifying zone, Egypt and Sudan had refused to play against Israel following the Suez crisis, while Indonesia had insisted on meeting Israel on neutral ground. As a result, FIFA proclaimed Israel winners of their group. However, FIFA did not want a team to qualify for the World Cup finals without actually playing a match, and so lots were drawn of all the second-placed teams in UEFA. Belgium were drawn out first but refused to participate, and so then Wales was drawn out and awarded a two-legged play-off match against Israel with a place in Sweden for the winners.<ref name="history">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Having defeated Israel 2–0 at the Ramat Gan Stadium and 2–0 at Ninian Park, Cardiff, Wales went through to a World Cup finals tournament for the first time.
The strong Welsh squad made their mark in Sweden, drawing all the matches in their group against Hungary, Mexico and Sweden before defeating Hungary in a play-off match to reach the quarter-finals against Brazil. However, Wales' chances of victory against Brazil were hampered by an injury to John Charles that ruled him out of the match. Wales lost 1–0 with 17-year-old Pelé scoring his first international goal. The goal made Pelé the youngest World Cup goal scorer and Brazil went on to win the tournament.
Wales' remarkable campaign in Sweden was the subject of the best-selling book When Pele Broke Our Hearts: Wales and the 1958 World Cup (by Mario Risoli, St David's Press) which was published on the 40th anniversary of the World Cup and was also the inspiration for a Bafta Cymru-nominated documentary.
1970sEdit
Wales failed to qualify for the first four finals tournaments of the UEFA European Championship from its inception in 1960. They also did not replicate their success in qualifying for the 1958 FIFA World Cup, although they did achieve a highly creditable draw against then world champions England in the 1970 British Home Championship, weeks before England went to defend their title in Mexico 1970 FIFA World Cup. This helped to give Wales a share of the Home Championship trophy for the year, goal difference not at that stage being used to determine an outright winner. In 1976, the team – managed by Mike Smith – reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA European Championship, having finished top of qualifying Group 2 ahead of Hungary, Austria and Luxembourg, but this was not considered part of the finals. Prior to 1980, only four countries qualified for the finals tournament, and Wales were drawn to play against the winners of Group 3 – Yugoslavia – in a two-legged, home-and-away tie. Wales lost the first leg 2–0 in Zagreb and were eliminated from the competition following a 1–1 draw in a bad-tempered return leg at Cardiff's Ninian Park, which was marred by crowd trouble. This initially led to Wales being banned from the 1980 tournament, but this was reduced on appeal to a four-year ban on qualifying matches being played within 100 miles of Cardiff. Yugoslavia went on to finish fourth in the 1976 tournament.
The following year, Wales defeated England on English soil for the first time in 42 years and secured their only victory to date at Wembley Stadium thanks to a Leighton James penalty. Wales went onto finish second in the 1977 British Home Championship. A few weeks earlier, Wales achieved another noted victory against then European Champions Czechoslovakia with Nick Deacy and James again scoring.<ref name=memorable>Template:Cite news</ref> This victory in a qualifier strengthened Wales' bid to qualify for the 1978 FIFA World Cup, but six months later, that attempt ended in controversial circumstances. The decisive fixture against Scotland - nominally a home fixture for Wales, although relocated to Anfield amidst security concerns - was swung by a contentious penalty awarded to Scotland, replays suggesting the handball offence may have actually been perpetrated by Scottish striker Joe Jordan.<ref name=memorable/> Another notable achievement for Wales however came in the 1980 British Home Championship, as Wales comprehensively defeated England at the Racecourse Ground. Goals from Mickey Thomas, Ian Walsh, Leighton James and an own goal by Phil Thompson saw Wales defeat England 4–1 just four days after England had defeated the then-world champions, Argentina.
1980sEdit
In the 1982 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the Wales team – managed by Mike England – came extremely close to qualification; a 3–0 defeat against the Soviet Union in their final match meant they missed out on goal difference, but the real damage had been done by their failure to beat Iceland in their last home match, the match eventually finishing 2–2 after several hold-ups due to floodlight failures.
Wales also only narrowly missed out on qualification for the 1984 UEFA European Championship. They were seconds away from qualification when a winning goal by Ljubomir Radanović for Yugoslavia during injury time in the final game of qualifying group 4 against Bulgaria eliminated Wales.
Mark Hughes marked his debut for Wales by scoring the only goal of the match as England were defeated once again in 1984. The following season, Hughes was again on target, scoring a wonder goal as Wales thrashed Spain 3–0 at the Racecourse during qualification for the 1986 World Cup. However, despite defeating Scotland 1–0 at Hampden Park, it was again Iceland that wrecked Welsh hopes by defeating Wales 1–0 in Reykjavík, and for the second World Cup in a row, Wales missed out on goal difference. Wales had to win their last match at home to Scotland to be guaranteed at least a play-off, but were held to a 1–1 draw in a match marred by the death of Scotland manager Jock Stein, who collapsed from a heart attack at the end of the match.
Wales also started strongly in their bid to qualify for the 1988 UEFA European Championship, and were undefeated after four games. But away defeats against Denmark and Czechoslovakia in the last two games in qualifying group 6 saw Mike England's eight-year reign as Welsh coach end in another disappointment.
1990sEdit
Under coach Terry Yorath, Wales achieved a remarkable result on 5 June 1991 when defeating then world champions Germany in a Euro 1992 qualifier, thanks to a goal from Ian Rush. Three months later, on 11 September 1991, Wales achieved a notable double by defeating Brazil for the only time in a friendly international, thanks to a goal from Dean Saunders.<ref>Template:Cite news;Southall, Neville; Corbett, James (2012), The Binman Chronicles, deCoubertin Books, ISBN 978-0-9564313-8-7</ref> At this point, Wales seemed well placed to progress from their qualifying group 5. However, victories for Germany in their three remaining matches in the group, including a 4–1 win in the return fixture against Wales, eliminated the Welsh.
Wales also made a strong showing in their qualifying group for the 1994 World Cup, achieving a noted victory at home to Belgium. Wales thus attained what was then their highest position in the FIFA World Rankings on 27 August 1993. Wales again came close to qualifying for a major championship only to fall short in the closing stages of their campaign. Needing to win the final match of the group at home to Romania on 17 November, Paul Bodin missed a penalty when the scores were level 1–1; the miss was immediately followed by Romania taking the lead and going on to win 2–1.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Following the failure to qualify, Yorath's contract as manager of the national side was not renewed by the FAW, and Real Sociedad manager John Toshack was appointed on a part-time basis. However, Toshack resigned after just one match (a 3–1 defeat to Norway) citing problems with the FAW as his reason for leaving, although he was sure to have been shocked at being booed off the pitch at Ninian Park by the Welsh fans still reeling from the dismissal of Yorath.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Mike Smith took the manager role for the second time at the start of the Euro 1996 qualifiers, but Wales slipped to embarrassing defeats against Moldova and Georgia before Bobby Gould was appointed in June 1995.
Gould's time in charge of Wales is seen as a dark period by Welsh football fans. His questionable tactics and public fallings-out with players Nathan Blake,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Robbie Savage<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and Mark Hughes,Template:Citation needed coupled with embarrassing defeats to club side Leyton Orient and a 7–1 thrashing by the Netherlands in 1996 did not make him a popular figure within Wales. Gould finally resigned following a 4–0 defeat to Italy in 1999, and the FAW turned to two legends of the national team, Neville Southall and Mark Hughes, to take temporary charge of the match against Denmark four days later, with Hughes later being appointed on a permanent basis.
2000sEdit
Under Mark Hughes, Wales came close to qualifying for a place at Euro 2004 in Portugal, being narrowly defeated by Russia in the play-offs. However, the defeat was not without its controversy, as Russian midfielder Yegor Titov tested positive for the use of a banned substance after the first qualifying leg,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> a scoreless draw in Moscow. Notwithstanding, FIFA opted not to take action against the Football Union of Russia other than instructing them not to field Titov again, and the Russian team went on to defeat Wales 1–0 in Cardiff to qualify for the final tournament.Template:Citation needed
Following a disappointing start to the 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign, Hughes left his role with the national team to take over as manager of Premier League outfit Blackburn Rovers.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> John Toshack was appointed manager for the second time in November 2004.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In Euro 2008 qualifying, Wales finished 5th in Group D.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 4, two 2–0 home defeats by Finland and Germany in spring 2009 effectively ended Wales' hopes of qualification.
Wales were drawn in UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying Group G. After a defeat at Montenegro in their opening match, on 9 September 2010, John Toshack stood down as manager after being disappointed at previous results in 2010 against Croatia and the opening Euro 2012 qualifier.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Wales under-21 coach Brian Flynn took over from Toshack as caretaker manager.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2010sEdit
Gary Speed was appointed as permanent manager on 14 December 2010.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Speed appointed 20-year-old Aaron Ramsey captain, making him the youngest Wales captain.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In August 2011, Wales attained their lowest FIFA ranking of 117th.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After some promising performances, in October 2011, Wales had rapidly risen to 45th in the FIFA rankings.Template:Citation needed A 4–1 home win in a friendly match against Norway on 12 November 2011 proved to be Speed's last match in charge of Wales.Template:Citation needed The match was a culmination of Speed's efforts which led Wales to receive the unofficial award for biggest mover of 2011 in the FIFA rankings.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His tenure as manager ended in tragic circumstances two weeks later when he was found dead at his home on 27 November, having apparently committed suicide.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Due to London's successful bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, a Great Britain team would qualify as of right of being the host nation. However, the FAW stressed it was strongly against the proposal.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Despite this, Welsh players Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale expressed their interest in representing the Great Britain Olympic football team.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Bale withdrew due to injury,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> but Ramsey was joined by four other Welshmen in Stuart Pearce's 18-man squad: Swansea City's Joe Allen and Neil Taylor, while Manchester United's Ryan Giggs and Liverpool's Craig Bellamy were included as over-age players, with Giggs being made captain.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Chris Coleman was appointed Wales team manager on 19 January 2012.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> For 2014 World Cup qualification, Wales were drawn in Group A but finished 5th.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Wales were placed in Group B for qualifying for Euro 2016. In July 2015, following four wins and two draws, Wales topped the group.
In July 2015, having attained their then highest FIFA ranking of tenth,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Wales were placed among the top seeds for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification draw.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In September 2015, England dropped to tenth in the FIFA rankings, making Wales – in ninth position – the highest-ranked British team for the first time in its history.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In October 2015, Wales attained their highest ever FIFA ranking of eighth.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 10 October 2015, Wales lost 2–0 to Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, Wales' qualification for Euro 2016 was confirmed after Cyprus defeated Israel that same evening.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Euro 2016Edit
Wales qualified for Euro 2016 in France, their first European Championship tournament, and were drawn into Group B with Slovakia, Russia and England. On their Euro debut, on 11 June against Slovakia at the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, Gareth Bale scored direct from a free-kick to give Wales a 1–0 lead, and Hal Robson-Kanu scored the winner in a 2–1 victory.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In their second match, against England in Lens, Wales led 1–0 at half-time through another Bale free-kick, but lost 2–1.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Against Russia at the Stadium Municipal in Toulouse, Aaron Ramsey, Neil Taylor and Bale scored in a 3–0 win that made them win the group.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In their round of 16 match at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wales played Northern Ireland and won 1–0 after an own goal from Gareth McAuley.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the quarter-final against Belgium, Wales went behind to a long-range effort from Radja Nainggolan, but captain Ashley Williams headed an equaliser before Hal Robson-Kanu and Sam Vokes confirmed a 3–1 victory for Wales. This victory advanced Wales to their first major tournament semi-final and also made them the first British nation to advance to the semi-finals of a major tournament since 1996.<ref name="Belgium">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Wales lost 2–0 in the semi-final against Portugal with goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani early in the second half.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Wales were welcomed back home on 8 July with an open-top bus parade around Cardiff, starting at Cardiff Castle and going past the Millennium Stadium before finishing at the Cardiff City Stadium.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2018 World Cup qualification and China CupEdit
Wales finished third in their 2018 World Cup qualifying group, therefore failing to qualify for the final tournament.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Chris Coleman resigned as Wales manager on 17 November 2017 to join Sunderland.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Wales were invited to participate in the 2018 China Cup alongside China, Czech Republic and Uruguay.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Wales beat China 6–0 in the semi-final but lost 1–0 in the final to Uruguay.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2020sEdit
On 15 January 2018, Ryan Giggs was confirmed as new manager.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Despite losing two of the first three qualifiers for UEFA Euro 2020,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Wales went unbeaten in the second half of 2019 and ultimately qualified in second place following a 2–0 win over Hungary in their final match on 19 November.<ref name="results">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Euro 2020 was delayed until 2021 by the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, which meant Wales' next games came in the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="results"/> They kept five consecutive clean sheets on the way to an unbeaten record in the competition, winning five games and drawing one, despite Giggs not being available for the last two games due to legal troubles.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> With Rob Page in interim charge, the team beat Finland 3–1 in their final match to finish top of the group and gain promotion to League A for the 2022–23 UEFA Nations League.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
UEFA Euro 2020 was played in June and July 2021. Under Page as interim manager, Wales progressed from the group stage after finishing second in the group on goal difference.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In the last 16 round Wales lost to Denmark in Amsterdam.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Football squad on pitch
Rob Page remained in interim charge for the 2022 World Cup qualification campaign. Wales finished second in Group E and progressed to the qualification play-off stage.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After beating Austria in the play-off semi-final, Wales qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1958 with a 1–0 win over Ukraine.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Following their promotion in the previous Nations League campaign, Wales were drawn in Group A4 of the 2022–23 UEFA Nations League along with Belgium, the Netherlands and Poland, with Rob Page still interim manager.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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On 20 June 2022, Ryan Giggs resigned as Wales manager due to his upcoming court case.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Page stayed on as interim manager before being given a four-year contract extension in September 2022, managing Wales at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After a 1–1 draw with the United States in the opening match, Wales lost their second match to Iran after conceding two injury time goals.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In their final match, Wales were eliminated after losing 3–0 to England, therefore, finishing bottom of the group.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On 9 January 2023, Wales captain Gareth Bale retired from club and international football. At the time of his retirement he was the record goal scorer and record appearance holder for Wales.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
During UEFA Euro 2024 qualification, Wales finished 3rd in their group, meaning they would need to qualify via the play-offs.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In the play-off semi-final, Wales beat Finland 4–1 but lost the play-off final to Poland on penalties.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In June 2024, Rob Page was sacked as Wales' manager.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Craig Bellamy was announced as the head coach of the Welsh national team on 9 July 2024.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Team imageEdit
Media coverageEdit
Live television broadcast rights are held by S4C (Welsh language commentary) and Sky Sports (English language commentary) until 2022.Template:Update inline
Colours and logoEdit
Template:Sister project The primary kit has long been all-red. The crest of the Football Association of Wales features a rampant Welsh Dragon on a white shield. From 1920, the shield was surrounded by a red border, and the letters 'FAW' were added in 1926. The badge was redesigned in 1951, adding a green border with 11 daffodils, as well as the Welsh-language motto Gorau Chwarae Cyd Chwarae ("The best play is team play"). The motto was briefly removed in 1984, but the badge stayed largely the same until 2010, when the shield was changed to feature rounded sides and the motto banner was changed from white to red and green. The dragon also changed from rampant to rampant regardant. The motto was removed again in 2019, following another major redesign of the badge, which saw the top of the shield flattened and the sides changed not to curve outwards; the green border was also thinned and the daffodils removed.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Kit supplierEdit
| Kit provider | Period |
|---|---|
| Template:Flagicon Admiral | 1976–1980 |
| Template:Flagicon Adidas | 1980–1987 |
| Template:Flagicon Hummel | 1987–1990 |
| Template:Flagicon Umbro | 1990–1996 |
| Template:Flagicon Lotto | 1996–2000 |
| Template:Flagicon Kappa | 2000–2008 |
| Template:Flagicon Champion | 2008–2010 |
| Template:Flagicon Umbro | 2010–2013 |
| Template:Flagicon Adidas | 2013– |
NameEdit
The team is sometimes known and branded mononymously as "Cymru", the Welsh language name for Wales, by the Football Association of Wales (FAW; or in Template:Langx; CBC), as the FAW uses the term in its internal and external communications. In October 2022, the FAW announced it was considering rebranding the team to use only the Welsh name for the country, ditching the term "Wales", following the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The association said it was in discussions with UEFA over how to change the name, and was inspired by Turkey's rebrand to {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} and not being the last country alphabetically in some football events.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> University of Limerick professor Owen Worth said this suggestion was an example of the connection between the team's supporters' clubs and pro-Welsh independence groups such as YesCymru and AUOB Cymru.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Home stadiumEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}
From 2000 to 2009, Wales played most of their home matches at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. The stadium was built in 1999 on the site of the old National Stadium, known as Cardiff Arms Park, as the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) had been chosen to host the 1999 Rugby World Cup. Prior to 1989, Wales played their home games at the grounds of Cardiff City, Swansea City and Wrexham, but then came to an agreement with the WRU to use Cardiff Arms Park and, subsequently, the Millennium Stadium.
Wales' first football match at the Millennium Stadium was against Finland on 29 March 2000. The Finns won the match 2–1, with Jari Litmanen becoming the first player to score a goal at the stadium. Ryan Giggs scored Wales' goal in the match, becoming the first Welshman to score at the stadium.
With the opening of the Cardiff City Stadium in 2009, the FAW chose to stage most home friendlies there, with other friendly matches played at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea (now known as the Swansea.com Stadium) and the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham. Qualifying matches continued to be played at the 74,500-capacity Millennium Stadium until the end of 2009, which was typically only around 20–40% full amid poor team results. This led to calls from fans and players for international matches to be held at smaller stadiums. For the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign, the FAW decided Wales would play all of their home matches at either the Cardiff City Stadium or the Liberty Stadium, with the exception of the home tie against England, which was played at the Millennium Stadium. The 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign saw four home matches at the Cardiff City Stadium and one at the Liberty Stadium. Cardiff City Stadium's capacity was increased to 33,000 in 2014 and all home matches for Euro 2016 qualifying were scheduled at the stadium and Wales subsequently qualified for the finals tournament in France. All five home qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup were held at the stadium as well as both of the team's home 2018–19 UEFA Nations League games. All home games in the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign also took place there. A friendly against Spain was played at the Millennium Stadium on 11 October 2018, which was Wales' first match at the stadium in just over seven-and-a-half years, finishing in a 4–1 defeat. On 20 March 2019, Wales played a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago at the Racecourse Ground, their first match there since 2008.
Results and fixturesEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
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2024Edit
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2025Edit
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Coaching staffEdit
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head Coach | Template:Flagicon Craig Bellamy |
| Assistant Coaches | Template:Flagicon Andrew Crofts Template:Flagicon James Rowberry Template:Flagicon Piet Cremers Template:Flagicon Ryland Morgans |
| Head of Performance | Template:Flagicon Nick Davies |
| Goalkeeping Coach | Template:Flagicon Martyn Margetson |
| Fitness Coach | Template:Flagicon Adam Owen |
| Medical Officer | Template:Flagicon Jon Houghton |
| Performance Psychologist | Template:Flagicon Ian Mitchell |
| Physiotherapists | Template:Flagicon Sean Connelly |
| Template:Flagicon David Rowe | |
| Template:Flagicon Chris Senior | |
| Template:Flagicon Paul Harris | |
| Sports Scientist | Template:Flagicon Ronan Kavanagh |
| Equipment Officers | Template:Flagicon David Griffiths |
| Template:Flagicon Kevin McCusker | |
| Performance Analysts | Template:Flagicon Esther Wills |
| Template:Flagicon James Turner |
Coaching historyEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}
- Caretaker manager are listed in italics.
Prior to 1954 the Welsh team was chosen by a panel of selectors with the team captain fulfilling the role of coach. Template:Div col
- Template:Flagicon Walley Barnes (1954–1955)
- Template:Flagicon Jimmy Murphy (1956–1964)
- Template:Flagicon Dave Bowen (1964–1974)
- Template:Flagicon Ron Burgess (1965)
- Template:Flagicon Mike Smith (1974–1979)
- Template:Flagicon Mike England (1979–1987)
- Template:Flagicon David Williams (1988)
- Template:Flagicon Terry Yorath (1988–1993)
- Template:Flagicon John Toshack (1994)
- Template:Flagicon Mike Smith (1994–1995)
- Template:Flagicon Bobby Gould (1995–1999)
- Template:Flagicon Neville Southall (1999)
- Template:Flagicon Mark Hughes (1999–2004)
- Template:Flagicon John Toshack (2004–2010)
- Template:Flagicon Brian Flynn (2010)
- Template:Flagicon Gary Speed (2010–2011)
- Template:Flagicon Chris Coleman (2012–2017)
- Template:Flagicon Ryan Giggs (2018–2020)
- Template:Flagicon Rob Page (2020–2024)
- Template:Flagicon Craig Bellamy (2024–)
PlayersEdit
Current squadEdit
Wales named the following squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Liechtenstein and Belgium on 6 and 9 June 2025 respectively.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Caps and goals are correct as of 25 March 2025, after the match against North Macedonia. Template:Nat fs g start Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs break Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs break Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs break Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs end
Recent call-upsEdit
The following players have also been called up for the team within the last twelve months. Template:Nat fs r start Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs break Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r playerINJ Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs break Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player
Template:Nat fs r playerINJ
Template:Nat fs r player INJ
Template:Nat fs r playerINJ
Template:Nat fs break
Template:Nat fs r player
Template:Nat fs break
INJ Withdrew due to injury
WD Withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue
SUS Serving suspension
RET Retired from the national team
Template:Nat fs end
Individual recordsEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:Updated<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Players in bold are still active with Wales.
Most appearancesEdit
_(cropped).jpg){kind=link}
| Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Career |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gareth Bale | 111 | 41 | 2006–2022 |
| 2 | Chris Gunter | 109 | 0 | 2007–2022 |
| Wayne Hennessey | 109 | 0 | 2007–present | |
| 4 | Ben Davies | 94 | 3 | 2012–present |
| 5 | Neville Southall | 92 | 0 | 1982–1997 |
| 6 | Aaron Ramsey | 86 | 21 | 2008–present |
| Ashley Williams | 86 | 2 | 2008–2019 | |
| 8 | Gary Speed | 85 | 7 | 1990–2004 |
| 9 | Craig Bellamy | 78 | 19 | 1998–2013 |
| 10 | Joe Allen | 77 | 2 | 2009–2025 |
| Joe Ledley | 77 | 4 | 2005–2018 |
Most goalsEdit
| Rank | Player | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gareth Bale (list) | 41 | 111 | {{#expr:41/111 round 2}} | 2006–2022 |
| 2 | Ian Rush (list) | 28 | 73 | {{#expr:28/73 round 2}} | 1980–1996 |
| 3 | Trevor Ford | 23 | 38 | {{#expr:23/38 round 2}} | 1947–1957 |
| Ivor Allchurch | 23 | 68 | {{#expr:23/68 round 2}} | 1951–1966 | |
| 5 | Dean Saunders | 22 | 75 | {{#expr:22/75 round 2}} | 1986–2001 |
| 6 | Aaron Ramsey | 21 | 86 | {{#expr:21/86 round 2}} | 2008–present |
| 7 | Craig Bellamy | 19 | 78 | {{#expr:19/78 round 2}} | 1998–2013 |
| 8 | Robert Earnshaw | 16 | 59 | {{#expr:16/59 round 2}} | 2002–2011 |
| Cliff Jones | 16 | 59 | {{#expr:16/59 round 2}} | 1954–1970 | |
| Mark Hughes | 16 | 72 | {{#expr:16/72 round 2}} | 1984–1999 |
Notable former playersEdit
Welsh Sports Hall of Fame inducteesEdit
<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Template:Div col
- Ivor Allchurch
- Horace Blew
- Ronnie Burgess
- John Charles
- Trevor Ford
- Ryan Giggs
- Mark Hughes
- Bryn Jones
- Cliff Jones
- Fred Keenor
- Jack Kelsey
- George Latham
- Billy Meredith
- Jimmy Murphy
- Ivor Powell
- Kevin Ratcliffe
- Ian Rush
- Alf Sherwood
- Neville Southall
- Gary Speed
- John Toshack
- Terry Yorath
Welsh inductees to the English Football Hall of FameEdit
<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- 2002 – John Charles
- 2005 – Ryan Giggs
- 2006 – Ian Rush
- 2007 – Mark Hughes, Billy Meredith
- 2013 – Cliff Jones
- 2015 – Ivor Allchurch
- 2016 – Neville Southall
- 2017 – Gary Speed
Welsh winners of the FWA Footballer of the YearEdit
<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Ian Rush (1984)
- Neville Southall (1985)
- Gareth Bale (2013)
Welsh winners of the PFA Players' Player of the YearEdit
<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Ian Rush (1984)
- Mark Hughes (1989, 1991)
- Ryan Giggs (2009)
- Gareth Bale (2011, 2013)
Team recordsEdit
- Biggest win
Template:Fb 11–0 Template:Fb-rt
(Wrexham, Wales; 3 March 1888)
- Biggest defeat
Template:Fb 9–0 Template:Fb-rt
(Glasgow, Scotland; 23 March 1878)
Competitive recordEdit
FIFA World CupEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}
| colspan="9"style="background:#E60026;color:#FFFFFF;Template:Box-shadow border"|[[FIFA World Cup|Template:Ifsubst style="color:#FFFFFF">FIFA World Cup]] record | colspan="6"style= "background:#E60026;color:#FFFFFF;Template:Box-shadow border"|[[Qualification record|Template:Ifsubst style="color:#FFFFFF">Qualification]] record | colspan="6"style= "background:#E60026;color:#FFFFFF;Template:Box-shadow border"|[[Qualification play-off record|Template:Ifsubst style="color:#FFFFFF">Qualification play-off]] record | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | Template:Tooltip | Template:Tooltip | Template:Tooltip* | Template:Tooltip | Template:Tooltip | Template:Tooltip | Template:Tooltip | Template:Tooltip | Template:Tooltip | Template:Tooltip | Template:Tooltip | Template:Tooltip | Template:Abbr | Template:Abbr | Template:Abbr | Template:Abbr | Template:Abbr | Template:Abbr |
| Template:Flagicon 1930 | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | colspan="6" rowspan="5" Template:N/a | |||||||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon 1934 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon 1938 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon 1950 | Did not qualify | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | |||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon 1954 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 9 | ||||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon 1958 | Quarter-finals | 5th | 5 | 1 | 3* | 1 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Template:Flagicon 1962 | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | colspan="6" rowspan="15" Template:N/a | ||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon 1966 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 9 | ||||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon 1970 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 10 | ||||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon 1974 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon 1978 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon 1982 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 7 | ||||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon 1986 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 6 | ||||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon 1990 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 8 | ||||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon 1994 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 19 | 12 | ||||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon 1998 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 20 | 21 | ||||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 2002 | 10 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 10 | 12 | ||||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon 2006 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 15 | ||||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon 2010 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 12 | ||||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon 2014 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 20 | ||||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon 2018 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 13 | 6 | ||||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon 2022 | Group stage | 30th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 17 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 2026 | To be determined | To be determined | ||||||||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 2030 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon 2034 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | Quarter-finals | 2/22 | 8 | 1 | 4* | 3 | 5 | 10 | 130 | 43 | 29 | 58 | 168 | 180 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 |
UEFA European ChampionshipEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}
| colspan="9"style="background:#E60026;color:#FFFFFF;Template:Box-shadow border"|[[UEFA European Championship|Template:Ifsubst style="color:#FFFFFF">UEFA European Championship]] record | colspan="6"style="background:#E60026;color:#FFFFFF;Template:Box-shadow border"|[[UEFA European Championship qualification|Template:Ifsubst style="color:#FFFFFF">Qualification]] record | colspan="26"style="background:#E60026;color:#FFFFFF;Template:Box-shadow border"|[[Qualification play-off|Template:Ifsubst style="color:#FFFFFF">Qualification play-off]] record | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | Template:Abbr | Template:Abbr | Template:Abbr* | Template:Abbr | Template:Abbr | Template:Abbr | Template:Abbr | Template:Abbr | Template:Abbr | Template:Abbr | Template:Abbr | Template:Abbr | Template:Abbr | Template:Abbr | Template:Abbr | Template:Abbr | Template:Abbr | Template:Abbr |
| Template:Flagicon 1960 | Did not enter | Did not enter | colspan="6" rowspan="4" Template:N/a | |||||||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon 1964 | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | |||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon 1968 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 12 | ||||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon 1972 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 6 | ||||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon 1976Template:Efn | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | ||||||||
| Template:Flagicon 1980 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 8 | colspan="6" rowspan="6" Template:N/a | |||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon 1984 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 6 | ||||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon 1988 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon 1992 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 6 | ||||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon 1996 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 19 | ||||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 2000 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 16 | ||||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon 2004 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 13 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||
| Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 2008 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 18 | 19 | colspan="6" rowspan="4" Template:N/a | |||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 2012 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 10 | ||||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon 2016 | Semi-finals | 3rd | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 4 | ||||||
| Template:Flagicon 2020 | Round of 16 | 16th | 4 | 1 | 1* | 2 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 6 | ||||||
| Template:Flagicon 2024 | Did not qualify | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | |||||||
| Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 2028 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | |||||||||||||||||
| Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 2032 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | Semi-finals | 2/16 | 10 | 5 | 1* | 4 | 13 | 12 | 112 | 45 | 23 | 44 | 135 | 139 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 5 |
Notes Template:Notelist Template:Small
UEFA Nations LeagueEdit
| colspan="13"style="background:#E60026;color:#FFFFFF;Template:Box-shadow border"|[[UEFA Nations League|Template:Ifsubst style="color:#FFFFFF">UEFA Nations League]] record | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Division | Group | Round | Template:Tooltip | Template:Tooltip | Template:Tooltip* | Template:Tooltip | Template:Tooltip | Template:Tooltip | Template:Tooltip | Template:Tooltip | Rank |
| 2018–19 | B | 4 | Group stage | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 6 | Template:Same position | 19th |
| 2020–21 | B | 4 | Group stage | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 16 | Template:Rise | 17th |
| 2022–23 | A | 4 | Group stage | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 1 | Template:Fall | 16th |
| 2024–25 | B | 4 | Group stage | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 12 | Template:Rise | 19th |
| Total | Group stage | 22 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 28 | 21 | 35 | 16th | |||
HonoursEdit
InternationalEdit
- UEFA European Championship
- 3 Third Place (1) 2016
RegionalEdit
FriendlyEdit
See alsoEdit
- Wales at the FIFA World Cup
- Wales at the UEFA European Championship
- Wales national under-21 football team
- Wales national under-20 football team
- Wales national under-19 football team
- Wales national under-18 football team
- Wales national under-17 football team
- Wales women's national football team
- Wales women's national under-17 football team
- Wales national futsal team
ReferencesEdit
BibliographyEdit
- Red Dragons: The Story of Welsh Football by Phil Stead (Template:ISBN)
External linksEdit
- Football Association of Wales
- Wales at UEFA
- Wales at FIFA
- Football Association of Wales Trust
- International results of Wales
Template:Wales national football team Template:Navboxes Template:Navboxes {{#invoke:Navbox|navbox}} Template:UK National Football teams Template:Football in the United Kingdom {{#invoke:Navbox|navbox}} Template:National sports teams of Wales