
FAW Future Talent
Unearthing Cymru’s Future Stars
The ambitions of the FAW’s ‘Our Wales’ and High Performance Strategies are for our Cymru National Teams to qualify for major tournaments throughout the pathway in the men’s and women’s game.
Identification of future talent is a critical component of an effective player pathway in the international game, and the FAW is always on the lookout for talent at every level.
Find out more about the FAW’s Future Talent Programme, and express your interest at the bottom of the page if you think you match what we are looking for.
Future Talent FAQs
Who can be eligible to play for Wales?
Anyone that was born in Wales or has a parent or grandparent (not great grandparent) born in Wales is eligible. Anyone with five years or more education (primary or secondary) in Wales is also eligible, and who holds or is eligible for a UK passport. This applies on a global scale.
What age do Wales start inviting players into the pathway?
Boys and Girls can enter regional groups at 11. Progress is made to the National Under 15s Development Groups prior to the National 16s and so forth.
Do Wales send scout and coaches to watch games?
FAW scouts and coaches will watch games and observe players. We also undertake club visits and will meet regularly with club officials to discuss player progress and development.
How much emphasis does the FAW place on the players welfare?
The whole structure within the pathway has been designed to ensure that the player is at the centre of all that we do. The initial contact, invite to camp, coaching syllabus, highly qualified and experienced UEFA staff, accommodation, administration, and overall holistic experience. The environment is one of High Performance and is paramount, enabling the players to enjoy their experiences which will enhance performance.
Can I play for another country if I have played for Wales, or vice versa?
There are FIFA regulations that all countries must comply with and those players of dual nationality that enter the programme have the regulations explained to them and their parents from the outset. Transparency is fundamental, which again illustrates that the players interest is at the centre of all we do.
What happens if I have never been in a regional programme with Wales and enter at a later stage, will it be hard for me to integrate with the other players and staff?
There are many players who have been identified post regional age groups that have entered the squads at some stage and found that the environment is one of High Performance which ensures that the players are embraced as one of the team immediately.
Do you have to be at a professional club to be invited into the Welsh camps?
As you can appreciate, the high level of quality demonstrated within the international games demand the same from an individual and as such it would be advantageous for both us and the player to be at a professional club for them to be considered for selection based on the level of competition we participate in. However, we collate names on our database daily as we know that some players will potentially move from non-professional clubs to professional clubs and the earliest, we’re aware of them the better.