By Ben James
Copyright walesonline
Wales are set to return to playing football at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium in the build-up to Euro 2028. The home of Welsh rugby will hold six games at the tournament in three years’ time , with Wales co-hosting the Euros alongside England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland. The stadium has also been tipped to host the opening match of the tournament. Football Association of Wales (FAW) chief executive Noel Mooney has now confirmed Craig Bellamy’s side will likely begin to play at the Principality Stadium once again ahead of the tournament. Prior to 2010, the 74,500-capacity stadium had been where the vast majority of national team matches had been played. However, following the move to the smaller Cardiff City Stadium, Wales have played at the Principality Stadium just twice in the last 15 years. Fans have long been against the idea of returning to the bigger venue, with the Bluebirds’ stadium becoming the national team’s spiritual home amid huge success. After a Euro 2012 qualifier against England there in 2011, their last match was a 2018 friendly against Spain. But with Wales guaranteed to play there should they qualify, Mooney says the FAW want to ensure they benefit from “home advantage”. “I think we will have to look at it. To do well at Euro 2028 we need to be used to that environment again, having not played there in a long time,” he told BBC Wales. “Cardiff City Stadium will be our home, but we need – and will look forward to – playing there leading into 2028.” Mooney also added that he hoped Wales games would be staged more often at Wrexham’s Stok Cae Ras. The ground is currently being redeveloped by owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Work on a new Kop Stand, which will boost capacity to 18,000 and also meet UEFA requirements, is already underway. The world’s oldest international ground still in use is set to be put forward as one of two venues to be part of a UK bid for the 2035 women’s World Cup. Mooney also confirmed that the FAW are in talks over a bid for the 2029 Women’s Champions League final to be staged at the Principality Stadium.
