Wales Advocates for Expanded Women's Euros

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The Football Association of Wales (FAW) is advocating for the expansion of the Women's European Championship from 16 to 24 teams, aiming to mirror the men's competition format. Wales recently made history by qualifying for their first major women's tournament at Euro 2025, although they were eliminated at the group stage in Switzerland. With the focus on Euro 2029, the FAW is pressing Uefa to increase the number of participating teams in the tournament. "We're lobbying quite strongly with Uefa to try and move from a 16-team Euros to 24 teams like the men," stated FAW chief executive Noel Mooney. This expansion could provide more opportunities for teams such as Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland to compete in the Euros. The men's European Championship saw a similar expansion to 24 teams starting with Euro 2016, which benefited Wales as they reached the semi-finals in France. Rhian Wilkinson's team is currently aiming to qualify for their first World Cup, having already topped their 2027 World Cup qualifying group. However, the complex qualification process for the World Cup makes Euro 2029 a more attainable goal, particularly if the tournament expands. Mooney emphasized Wales' strong connections within Uefa, highlighting influential figures like Laura McAllister and Nadine Kessler who support progressive initiatives in women's football. By collaborating with neighboring countries, Wales aims to present a unified case for expansion to Uefa, arguing for equal opportunities for women's and men's teams.