Under-19s finals to 'whet appetite' for Euro 2028

Wales begin their Uefa Under-19 campaign against Spain on Sunday, 28 June in Wrexham [FAW] Football Association of Wales (FAW) chief executive Noel Mooney says this summer's Uefa Men's Under-19 finals in north Wales will "whet the appetite" prior to co-hosting Euro 2028. Cardiff will stage the opening game of the European Championships in two years' time with Wales one of four host nations alongside England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland. With Wales failing to qualify for this year's World Cup finals, the focus now turns to the next Euros, which Mooney says will be "phenomenal" for Welsh football.

"It's two years out of 2028 of course so the association is starting to look towards that," Mooney told BBC Sport Wales. "This competition gives us an opportunity to prepare almost for that. "This tournament will whet the appetite.

" The Under-19 tournament is being held in north Wales in a year which sees the FAW celebrate its 150th anniversary. The association was formed in Wrexham in 1876 and Mooney hopes that this summer's tournament will ensure a lasting legacy for football in north Wales. "If you look at the enthusiasm for football across north Wales, it's huge," added Mooney.

"This tournament will just add more fuel onto the fire of what is the halcyon days of football across north Wales. The FAW chief executive says the legacy of the U19 tournament will be important. "While this tournament is the best of football coming to north Wales for us it's a bit more about the future in terms of the talent that gets to play against these ones which is good for the national teams," he said.