The 2026 Cymru Cup tournament took place this week, a cornerstone event in the Welsh football calendar and a crucial step in the journey for the next generation of national team players.
This year’s tournament was hosted at the University of South Wales Sport Park in Treforest, highlighting the ongoing partnership between the FAW and USW with coaching and player development.
The Cymru Cup has consistently played a vital role in player development. An impressive 90% of our current Men’s National Team squad once featured in this very tournament, showcasing the value and success of the programme.
Players such as Charlie Crew and Jordan James are among those who began their international journeys through the Cymru Cup, going on to earn senior caps for Cymru.
The Cymru Cup is a celebration of the most promising players born in 2012, drawn from both North and South Wales, as well as professional clubs across the UK.
Over three days, these young talents come together to form three teams, including players from the FAW National Academi, competing in two high-level matches under the watchful eyes of national team coaches and support staff. Teams were named after three prominent current Cymru players; Team Ampadu, Team Wilson and Team Rodon.
The event not only highlights regional talent but also serves as the final stage of the FAW’s two-year Regional Programme, which aims to identify players ready to make the step into the Men’s Under 15 (MU15) National Team.
Cymru Men’s National Team Head Coach Craig Bellamy and the FAW’s Chief of Football Dr. David Adams attended all three matches, meeting players and parents to outline the Welsh football pathway and the opportunities that lie ahead. Their presence underlined the importance of this stage in the journey, as well as the FAW’s commitment to nurturing talent from the grassroots to the international stage.
Reflecting on the Cymru Cup, Dr. David Adams said: “The Cymru Cup is the most strategically significant boy’s player development event we operate with 85% of our Men’s National Team competing in this showcase event during their own journeys through our national youth pathway.”
“Equally, it’s a celebration of success of our most talented players aged U14 both domestically and nationally. Craig and I we’re really impressed with the quality of the players and their application across the 3 days.”
“My thanks to all the staff at USW who provided world class facilities and conditions for the players to perform across the 3 days.”
All three matches were shown live on CymruFootball.TV and can be watched back in full on the platform. Images from across the week are available to view and purchase here.
Team Rodon
Archie DARLINGTON (Wrexham), Dominic NASH (Barry Town United), Fletcher JONES (Airbus UK Broughton), Flynn COLLINS (Preston North End), George FIN BENNY (The New Saints), Ianto HICKS (Pontardawe Town), Iestyn MORGAN (Crystal Palace), Jac JONES (The New Saints), Jack WILLIAMS (Blackpool), James MCCARTHY (Barry Town United), Macsen BAKER (Airbus UK Broughton), Patrick KERR (Crystal Palace), Teifi PURCHASE (Pontardawe Town), Thomas WILLIAMS (Flint Town United), Toby DAVIES (Bristol City), Will HEDD-EVANS (Cardiff Met), Will RISHWORTH (The New Saints), William HARDING-PEARS (Flint Town United).
Team Ampadu
Caio EVANS (Cardiff City), Finley MAYOR (Plymouth Argyle), Freddie CARSWELL (Fulham), Gabriel MOYO (Swansea City), Harry WALKER (Wrexham), Jack BREWER (Cardiff City), Jack FIELDING (Blackburn Rovers), Jack KEAR (Cardiff City), Jacob RODERICK (Newport County), Jake ROGERS (Swansea City), James MACFARQUAHAR (Oxford United), Jayden FERGUS (Cardiff City), Josh PARSONS (Chelsea), Louis DAVIES (Shrewsbury Town), Marley POBI (Newport County), Mason WILLIAMS (Exeter City), Rhys WILLIAMS (Cardiff City), Rodrigo MAREGULA (Liverpool), Theo HOSKINS (Bournemouth), Tobias MURRAY (Newport County).
Team Wilson
Aaron SMITH (Everton), Alex BONNICI (Oxford United), Arlo SIMONCINI (Swansea City), Blake PARRIS (Cardiff City), Coby SAKER (Norwich City), Dan CARROLL (Swansea City), Finley BARWELL (Norwich City), Finley THOMAS (Swansea City), Finn HOLBERT (Preston North Wales), Freddie PHILLIPS (Cardiff City), Freddie THATCHER (Plymouth Argyle), Harry HUSBAND (Coventry City), Issac SUMMERHAYES (Cardiff City), Junior NGWENYA (Coventry City), Khyas Parsons (Cardiff City), Leo GENTLES (Rangers), Max WILSON (Southampton), Olly MULLINER (Blackburn Rovers), Oscar BAKER (Swansea City), Thomas WILKINSON (Leeds United).
