Wales national football team

Mens national football team.

The Wales national football team (Welsh: Tîm pêl-droed cenedlaethol Cymru) represents Wales in men's international football and is governed by the Football Association of Wales (FAW). They have been a member of FIFA since 1946 and of UEFA since 1954. The team is commonly referred to as "The Dragons" (Y Dreigiau) and plays its home matches at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Wales has qualified for the FIFA World Cup twice, first in 1958 and again in 2022. In 1958, they reached the quarter-finals, where they faced Brazil and lost 1-0, with a young Pelé scoring the only goal of the match. This marked a significant achievement for Welsh football as they made their mark on the global stage. After a long absence from major tournaments, Wales qualified for UEFA Euro 2016, where they reached the semi-finals, losing to Portugal. This performance was historic, as it was their first appearance in a European Championship finals.

The team has also participated in UEFA Euro 2020, where they advanced to the Round of 16. Historically, Wales has had notable players such as Gareth Bale, who holds records for both the most caps (111) and goals (41) for the national team. Other key figures include Aaron Ramsey, who serves as captain and has been instrumental in the team's recent successes.

Wales played its first international match on March 25, 1876, against Scotland, making it one of the oldest national teams in the world. Over the years, they have experienced both highs and lows, including periods of near qualification for major tournaments and significant victories against rival teams.

As of October 2024, Wales is ranked 29th in the FIFA World Rankings. The team's colors—red shirts and white shorts—reflect their national identity. Under current head coach Craig Bellamy, Wales continues to build on its footballing heritage with aspirations for future success on both European and world stages.