Wales national football team
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| Nickname(s) | The Dragons | |||
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| Association | Football Association of Wales | |||
| Confederation | UEFA (Europe) | |||
| Head coach |  John Toshack |
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| Asst coach |  Roy Evans Dean Saunders Brian Flynn David Williams |
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| Captain | Craig Bellamy | |||
| Most caps | Neville Southall (92) | |||
| Top scorer | Ian Rush (28) | |||
| Home stadium | Millennium Stadium | |||
| FIFA code | WAL | |||
| FIFA ranking | 67 | |||
| Highest FIFA ranking | 27 (August 1993) | |||
| Lowest FIFA ranking | 113 (September 2000) | |||
| Elo ranking | 48 | |||
| Highest Elo ranking | 3 (1876–1885) | |||
| Lowest Elo ranking | 75 (September 2000) | |||
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| First international | ||||
 Scotland 4 – 0 Wales (Glasgow, Scotland; 26 March 1876) |
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| Biggest win | ||||
Wales 11 – 0 Ireland  (Wrexham, Wales; 3 March 1888) |
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| Biggest defeat | ||||
| Scotland 9 – 0 Wales (Glasgow, Scotland; 23 March 1878) |
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| World Cup | ||||
| Appearances | 1 (First in 1958) | |||
| Best result | Quarter-finals, 1958 | |||
| European Championship | ||||
| Appearances | none | |||
| Best result | Quarter-finals, 1976 (in Qualifying) | |||
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international men's football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales, the governing body for football in Wales and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team has not qualified for a major international tournament since 1958, when it qualified for the 1958 FIFA World Cup.
Although part of the United Kingdom, Wales has always had its own representative side that plays in all the major professional tournaments, though not in the Olympic Games as the IOC only recognises the United Kingdom.
Wales were placed in Group 4 for qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup alongside Germany, Russia, Finland, Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein.
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[edit] History
[edit] The early years
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 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[1] and Wales, until 1983–84. 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 1906, 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 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. A year later, Wales played a match outside the United Kingdom for the first time when they travelled to Paris to take on France in a match which was drawn 1–1.
[edit] Post-war
Wales, along with the other four 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.
The 1950s were undoubtedly a golden age for Welsh football with stars such as Ivor Allchurch, Alf Sherwood, Jack Kelsey and, of course, John Charles pulling on the famous red shirt and Wales made its only World Cup appearance in 1958. However, their qualification was fortunate to say the least. Having finished second to Czechoslovakia in qualifying Group 4, the Welsh thought their chances of appearing in Sweden were over. But the golden generation of Welsh football had reckoned without the politics of the Middle East.
Egypt and Sudan had refused to play against Israel whilst Indonesia had insisted on meeting Israel on neutral ground. As a result Israel were proclaimed winners of their respective group in the Asian/African zone.
FIFA were understandably reluctant to allow 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 the UEFA qualifying groups. Belgium were drawn out of the hat but they refused and so then Wales was drawn and awarded a two-legged play-off match against Israel with a place in Sweden for the winners[2].
Having beaten Israel 2–0 at the Ramat Gan Stadium and 2–0 at Ninian Park, Cardiff, Wales went through to the World Cup Finals for the first and, so far, only time.
The strong Welsh squad made their mark in Sweden, drawing all the matches in their group against Hungary, Mexico, and Sweden before defeating the Hungarians in a play off match to reach the quarter-finals. There the Welsh lost 1–0 to eventual champions Brazil, with 17-year-old Pelé grabbing the only goal of the game for the South American side. However, Wales' chances of victory were hampered by the injury of John Charles.
[edit] The 70s and 80s
Wales have never qualified for the final stages of the European Championships. However, in 1976, they did reach the last eight of the competition, having finished top of qualifying group 2 ahead of Hungary, Austria and Luxembourg. Prior to 1980, only four countries qualified for the final stages of the competition, and Wales were drawn to play against the winners of group 3 Yugoslavia, in a two legged match. Wales lost the first leg 2–0 in Zagreb and were knocked out of the competition having only managed a 1–1 draw in the return leg at Ninian Park.
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 thanks to a Leighton James penalty. Another notable achievement came in 1980, as Wales tore England apart in one of the best performances ever witnessed by a Welsh side. Goals from Mickey Thomas, Ian Walsh, Leighton James and an own goal by Phil Thompson saw Wales thrash England 4–1 at The Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, just four days after England had beaten the then-world champions, Argentina.
In the 1982 World Cup qualifiers, Wales came extremely close to qualification, a 3–0 defeat against the USSR in their final game meant they missed out on goal difference.
Manchester United youngster Mark Hughes marked his debut for Wales by scoring the only goal of the game 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 Mexico 86.
[edit] 1990s–present day
Wales came close, once again, to qualifying for a major championship when they came within a whisker of reaching the World Cup of 1994. Needing to win the final game of the group at home to Romania, Paul Bodin missed a penalty when the scores were level 1–1; Romania went on to win 2–1.
Following the failure to qualify, Terry Yorath's contract as manager of the national side was not renewed by the FAW and John Toshack, then manager of Real Sociedad, was appointed as a part-time manager. However, Toshack resigned after just one game — 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.[3] Mike Smith took the reins for the start of the Euro 96 qualifiers, which saw Wales slip 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 such as Nathan Blake,[4] Robbie Savage[5] and Mark Hughes, 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 game against Denmark four days later, with Hughes later being appointed on a permanent basis.
Under Hughes, Wales came close to qualifying for the European Championships in 2004, losing in the play-offs for a place in Portugal against Russia. The defeat, however, was not without its controversy as Russian midfield player, Yegor Titov, tested positive for the use of a banned substance after the first qualifying leg[6], a scoreless draw in Moscow. However, the sport's governing body decided to take no action against the Football Union of Russia other than instructing them not to play Titov again, and the Russian team went on to beat Wales in Cardiff 1–0 to qualify for Euro 2004.
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 Blackburn Rovers of the English Premier League. John Toshack was appointed manager for the second time on 12 November 2004.
In the qualification for Euro 2008, Wales were drawn in Group D alongside Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Republic of Ireland, Cyprus and San Marino. The team's performance was disappointing, finishing fifth in the group with expected defeat at home to Germany yet an unexpected draw away, a loss away and a goalless draw at home to the Czech Republic, a loss away and 2–2 draw at home to the Republic of Ireland, a 3–0 home win and uninspiring 2–1 away win against minnows San Marino, a 3–1 home win and 3–1 away defeat against Cyprus, and a spectacularly mixed performance against Slovakia — losing 5–1 at home and winning 5–2 away. However, better performances towards the end of the competition by a team containing, of necessity because of injuries and suspensions of senior players, no fewer than five players who were eligible for selection for the Under-21 squad has been viewed as a hopeful sign of future progress for the team.
In qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Wales made a promising start, winning 1–0 and 2-0 against Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein respectively. However, they lost their next game against Russia in Moscow after Joe Ledley had briefly drawn them level. The qualifying campaign showed signs of promise when the team managed to prevent Germany from scoring for 74 minutes of their match in Mönchengladbach, but the match eventually finished 1–0 to Germany. Two 2–0 home defeats by Finland and Germany in Spring 2009 effectively put paid to Wales' hopes of qualification, with matches away to Finland, Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein, and at home to Russia still to come.
[edit] Players
[edit] Current squad
Wales announced their squad for the 2010 World Cup qualifying matches against Finland and Germany, played at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, on 28 March and 1 April 2009 respectively, on 16 March 2009.
Caps and goals are accurate as of the match played on 1 April 2009. Ages as of 1 April 2009.
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[edit] Most-capped players
As of 30th May 2009,[7] the players with the most caps for Wales are:
| # | Name | Career | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neville Southall | 1982–1998 | 92 | 0 |
| 2 | Gary Speed | 1990–2004 | 85 | 7 |
| 3 | Dean Saunders | 1986–2001 | 75 | 22 |
| 4 | Peter Nicholas | 1979–1991 | 73 | 2 |
| = | Ian Rush | 1980–1996 | 73 | 28 |
| 6 | Mark Hughes | 1984–1999 | 72 | 16 |
| = | Joey Jones | 1975–1986 | 72 | 1 |
| 8 | Ivor Allchurch | 1950–1966 | 68 | 23 |
| 9 | Brian Flynn | 1974–1984 | 66 | 7 |
| 10 | Andy Melville | 1989–2004 | 65 | 3 |
[edit] 50 Cap Club
The FAW issues a commemorative cap to all players that attain 50 caps.[citation needed] In addition to the above players, the following have attained 50 caps (players still active in bold):
[edit] Top goalscorers
As of 30th May 2009 (players still active in bold):
| # | Name | Goals | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ian Rush | 28 | 73 |
| 2 | Trevor Ford | 23 | 38 |
| = | Ivor Allchurch | 23 | 68 |
| 4 | Dean Saunders | 22 | 75 |
| 5 | Craig Bellamy | 16 | 56 |
| = | Cliff Jones | 16 | 59 |
| = | Mark Hughes | 16 | 72 |
| 8 | John Charles | 15 | 38 |
| 9 | Robert Earnshaw | 14 | 45 |
| = | John Hartson | 14 | 51 |
[edit] Notable former Wales international players
- See also Category:Wales international footballers
- Welsh Sports Hall of Fame inductees
- Welsh inductees to the English Football Hall of Fame
- 2002 John Charles
- 2005 Ryan Giggs
- 2006 Ian Rush
- 2007 Mark Hughes, Billy Meredith
- Welsh inductees to the Football League 100 Legends
- Welsh Inductee to the PFA Premiership Team of the Year
- Ryan Giggs (1996, 1998, 2001, 2007 and 2009)
[edit] Managers
Prior to 1954 the Welsh team was chosen by a panel of selectors with the team captain fulfilling the role of coach.
| Name | Career |
|---|---|
| Walley Barnes |
1954–1955 |
| Jimmy Murphy |
1956-1964 |
| Dave Bowen |
1964–1974 |
| Ronnie Burgess |
1965 (temporary manager for one game due to unavailabilty of Dave Bowen) |
| Mike Smith |
1974–1979 |
| Mike England |
1979–1987 |
| Terry Yorath |
1988–1993 |
| John Toshack |
1994 |
| Mike Smith |
1994–1995 |
| Bobby Gould |
1995–1999 |
| Mark Hughes |
1999–2004 |
| John Toshack |
2004–present |
[edit] Other staff
- Goalkeeping Coach: Paul Jones
- Team Doctors: Dr. Mark Ridgewell & Dr. Mark Davies
- Physiotherapists: Mel Pejic & Dyfri Owen
- Masseur: David Rowe
[edit] Competition history
[edit] World Cup record
- 1930–1938 – Did not enter
- 1950–1954 – Did not qualify
- 1958 – Quarter-finals
- 1962–2006 – Did not qualify
[edit] European Championship record[edit] StadiumWales play 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. In recent seasons, a handful of friendly home matches have been played away from the Millennium Stadium at Swansea's Liberty Stadium and Wrexham's Racecourse Ground. However, due to recent price increases and a period with little success on the field, the 74,500 capacity stadium has only managed to fill around 20–40% of the seats, leading to calls by some for the football matches to return to Ninian Park, the Racecourse Ground and the Liberty Stadium. [edit] See also[edit] References
[edit] External links
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