THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF WALES (FAW)

The FAW was founded by a group of businessmen in 1876 in order to raise a Wales team to face Scotland - a match they lost 4-0. The following year the Welsh Cup was introduced, Wrexham being the first winners, and the Welsh Football League came into existence in 1902.

The national side won the British International Championships 6 times during the inter-war period, largely thanks to the work of Ted Robbins  who revolutionised the game in the country.

Wales have reached the World Cup Finals on one occasion - in Sweden in 1958 when they went out to Brazil at the Quarter Final stage.

In 1976 they fell at the quarter-finals of the European Championship, but haven't qualified since. Their qualification campaign for Euro 2004 ended at the play-off stage against Russia, but followed some impressive results including victories over Italy and Finland.

Founded

 02.02.1876

Pro players

 625

Amt players

 38,626

Yth players

 28,600

FIFA  ranking

 61 (July 04)

Coach

 Mark Hughes


Mark Hughes

Last matches v England

Date

Venue

Comp

Score

02 May 84

Wrexham

HC

0-1

23 Feb 83

Wembley

HC

2-1

27 Apr 82

Cardiff

HC

1-0

20 May 81

Wembley

HC

0-0

17 May 80

Wrexham

HC

1-4


HC = Home Championship

Star Players

Ryan Giggs, 30, is a considered one of the greatest players to wear the red of both Manchester United and Wales. In a glittering career the pacey, skilful winger has won every domestic honour as well as the European Cup in 1999, and was one of the youngest capped Welsh internationals ever at 17 years 321 days old.

Craig Bellamy, 25, continues to be blighted by troublesome knees, but when fit his blistering pace and finishing ability make him a handful for any defence. His performances for Newcastle during the 2001-02 season earned him the PFA Young Player of the Year award. He is the youngest player to represent Wales Under-21s at 16 years of age, gained full senior honours at 18, and has written himself into Welsh folklore by scoring the winner against Italy in Cardiff during 2003.

Legend

John Charles - Although comfortable at centre-back, the 'gentle giant' was best known for his attacking capabilities. Whilst playing for Leeds United in the 1953-54 season he scored a club record 42 goals in 39 games. Having moved to Juventus for a world record fee, he went on to win three Italian Championship titles and the Italian Cup, scoring 93 goals in 155 appearances - his portrait hangs to this day in the players' lounge  at the Stadio delle Alpi. He won 38 caps for Wales, and was in the side that qualified for the 1958 World Cup Finals.

Insider's view

Mark Hughes (Wales Head Coach)- "We play at a level where we have to be organised against the best players in the world. If you don't get that part of the game right, you'll find yourself behind in games very quickly. If you're organised and committed to what you believe in and everybody is on board you can over achieve."


The Colour

WALES

Area

 20,767 km2

Population

 3,000,000

Capital

 Cardiff

Language

 English, Welsh

Famous people - Catherine Zeta-Jones (actress), Michael Howard (politician), Richard Burton (actor), David Lloyd George (former Prime Minister), Tom Jones (singer), Dylan Thomas (poet), Sir Anthony Hopkins (actor),

Bet you didn't know - Ryan Giggs has never been eligible to play for England above schoolboy level. He captained the schoolboys as he was attending school in England, but being born and raised in Wales until he was 7, with both parents and grandparents being Welsh, he was only eligible to play for Wales at a higher level.