IN PREPARATION for hosting the men’s UEFA U19 Championship in North Wales, the Football Association of Wales (FAW) is announcing a significant £3m worth of investment into facilities for the tournament that will take place between June and July 2026.

Wales was awarded the U19 Championship by UEFA in September 2023 and the finals tournament will be used to celebrate the FAW’s 150th anniversary.

Eight teams will compete at the finals with seven teams having progressed through two qualifying rounds to join Cymru as the hosts.

The very best of young talent from across the continent will come to Wales for the U19 Championship as the tournament is known for featuring the stars of the future, with Kylian Mbappè and Erling Haarland being previous participants.

In recent years, Cymru have qualified twice for the U17 edition of the tournament and provided Welsh players with tournament experience. Charlie Crew, who took part in that tournament has since been called up to the Cymru National Team.

Noel Mooney, FAW CEO, said: “This is a significant investment from the FAW into facilities across North Wales and is another key step in building a Welsh football industry that represents a modern, progressive football nation.

“We are delighted to be able to invest our money into key football sites across North Wales as we prepare to host the men’s UEFA U19 Championship at stadiums in Bangor, Buckley, Caernarfon, Colwyn Bay, Denbigh, Holyhead, Penmaenmawr, Rhyl, Ruthin and Wrexham.”

Developing Welsh football has been a strategic priority for the FAW and this £3m investment follows other significant funding that is being used to grow the game.

The Cymru Football Foundation recently announced that since 2022, it has awarded £17m into projects across the country to develop fit-for-future football facilities.

Meanwhile, the largest ever single investment into the JD Cymru Premier was also announced this year with over £6m being ringfenced for the development of the league through a new strategic plan.

The U19 Championship investment, which DCMS and the English Premier League will contribute towards, will also have an impact on the JD Cymru Premier strategy as many of the venues that will receive funding host clubs participating in or are aspiring to be in the JD Cymru Premier.

North Wales Stadium Venues:

Nantporth Stadium, Bangor

Central Park, Denbigh

The Oval, Caernarfon

STōK Cae Ras, Wrexham

Training Venues:

Lanelian Road, Colwyn Bay

Colliers Park, Gresford

The Globe, Buckley

Memorial Playing Fields, Ruthin

Belle Vue, Rhyl

The New Oval, Holyhead

Cae Sling, Penmaenmawr