Wrexham, Cardiff, Swansea, and Newport Could Qualify for Europe In The Near Future Through Welsh League Cup

A quartet of Welsh clubs playing in the English Football League, including Wrexham, are pushing for European qualification in the near future.

Wrexham, along with fellow Welsh sides Cardiff City, Swansea City, and Newport County, have been in discussions with the Football Association of Wales (FAW) about participating in the Welsh League Cup.

This could offer them the chance to represent Wales in the UEFA Conference League, Europe’s third-tier competition.

Potential Benefits of European Qualification for FAW

Currently, these clubs can only qualify for European football via the FA Cup or League Cup, or by finishing high enough in the Premier League, which is highly unlikely given their current positions. The Welsh League Cup could provide a unique opportunity for these clubs to compete on the continental stage.

Also known as the Nathaniel MG Cup, the Welsh League Cup is primarily contested by teams from the Cymru Premier, Cymru North, and Cymru South.

However, these possible changes would mean Swansea, Cardiff, Wrexham, and Newport will be eligible to enter the competition as Welsh representatives.

The FAW has presented “Project Wales” to UEFA, the FA, the Premier League, and Cymru Premier sides, outlining the potential benefits of this proposal. Teams from the Welsh pyramid are said to be “welcoming” the opportunity to play their compatriots.

Qualifying for European football could be a significant boost for the Welsh clubs, both in terms of prestige and financial rewards. It could also help to raise Wales’ association coefficient ranking, which currently stands at 50th out of 55.

Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham and Newport could soon be competing for qualification in European football.

They’re in talks to enter the Welsh League Cup where the winner would qualify for the Europa Conference League.

(Via: @BBCSport) pic.twitter.com/6HnZZVQkqT

— Second Tier podcast (@secondtierpod) September 29, 2024

Wales In Europe: Previous Successes and Challenges

The New Saints, who won the Welsh League Cup last season, have already shown that it is possible for a Welsh club to compete at the European level.

They reached the group stage of the UEFA Conference League this season and will soon face Fiorentina in their first match.

Wrexham last played in European competition in the 1994/95 season, where they played in the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup off the back of winning the Welsh Cup.

Cardiff and Newport last featured in the same competition in the 1993/94 and 1980/81 seasons, respectively.

Swansea were the last Welsh club to play in European competition, when they reached the round of 32 in the Europa League in 2014, after qualifying by winning the 2013 League Cup.