Wrexham prepares to secure path to European football as FA chiefs consider Prosiect Cymru’s radical plan

Wrexham will soon cross swords with some of Europe’s most famous names if football bosses approve a radical plan later this year.

The League One club has become a global sensation thanks to investment from Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney and Welsh FA bosses have developed a proposal that would see Wrexham, Swansea, Cardiff and Newport compete in the Welsh League Cup – giving them a big advantage. easier path to European competition.

Leading FAW (Welsh FA) figures also believe the move would boost investment in Welsh football.

As clubs are part of the English pyramid, they can only qualify for Europe through the Premier League, FA Cup or EFL Cup. If they entered the Welsh League Cup, they would no longer be able to reach Europe via the ‘English’ route.

However, Mail Sport understands that there is significant interest in the idea of ​​the initiative, called ‘Prosiect Cymru’ (Project Wales).

Wrexham’s football fairytale could see them compete in Europe if radical plans are approved

Prosiect Cymru would see Welsh clubs playing in the English pyramid compete in the Welsh League Cup for a place in the Europa Conference League

UEFA, the Football Association, the Premier League and clubs in the Cymru Premier, Wales’ top domestic division, have seen the proposal and it is expected to be presented to the FA’s Professional Gambling Board before the end of 2024.

The winner of the Welsh League Cup enters the Europa Conference League, which this season features Chelsea, Panathinaikos and Fiorentina.

Roma won the first edition in 2022, followed by West Ham in 2023 and Olympiacos last year.

Welsh EFL clubs have not participated in an FAW competition since the FAW Premier Cup – which offered no European qualification – was abolished in 2008, but they have a rich history in continental competitions.

Cardiff beat Real Madrid in the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1971, Wrexham defeated Porto in the same competition in 1984 and Newport reached the quarter-finals of the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1981, whilst Swansea won 3 -0 in Valencia in the 2013 Europa League. match.