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Welsh giants join revamped cup with European dream

In a significant development for Welsh football, Wrexham, Cardiff City, Swansea City, and Newport County are poised to join a revamped Welsh League Cup, potentially granting them a pathway to European competitions. This proposal, pending approval from the Football Association of Wales (FAW) and UEFA, would integrate these four English Football League (EFL) clubs with the 12 JD Cymru Premier teams, forming a 16-team tournament. The competition’s winner would earn a spot in the qualifying rounds of a UEFA club tournament, marking a historic opportunity for Welsh clubs competing in the English football system.

Wrexham, under manager Phil Parkinson, could return to European competition under the Welsh flag for the first time since their participation in the 1995-96 Cup Winners’ Cup. Swansea City previously competed in the Europa League in 2013 after winning the EFL Cup, representing England. The FAW has confirmed that any profits from representing Wales in European tournaments will be excluded from financial regulations imposed by the EFL or English Premier League, ensuring no adverse effects on the clubs involved.

FAW Chief Executive Noel Mooney described the proposal as transformative for Welsh football: “This will be a game-changer for the development of the game as we work to unlock the full potential of Welsh football. It will unite Welsh football, improve the game at all levels, and deliver meaningful societal benefits across Wales, making our clubs and communities more sustainable.”

The revamped competition is expected to generate significant additional revenue, with the FAW estimating up to £3 million annually. These funds will be distributed across the JD Cymru Premier, the Genero Adran Premier (Wales’ top women’s league), and grassroots football facilities.

The new format will feature a four-round knockout structure, with the inclusion of Wales’s top EFL clubs anticipated to enhance the competition’s profile and competitiveness. The FAW believes that a potential victory by an EFL team could significantly boost Wales’s UEFA association club coefficient, improving the country’s standing in European football. Currently, Wales is among the lower-ranked nations in Europe.

The plan has been discussed with UEFA, the Secretary of State for Wales, and the Welsh Government. It aligns with the spirit of collaboration among football associations across the United Kingdom, particularly ahead of the home nations’ joint hosting of Euro 2028. Pending approval, the competition is set to commence next season, promising to reshape Welsh football while fostering unity and growth at all levels.

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