FAW pushes Uefa to increase Women's Euros to 24 teams by 2029

The Football Association of Wales formally requests Uefa to expand the Women's European Championship from 16 to 24 teams starting in 2029.

Wales seeks expanded Euros format The Football Association of Wales is lobbying European football’s governing body to raise the Women’s European Championship from 16 teams to 24, aligning it with the men’s event. Wales qualified for their first major women’s tournament at Euro 2025 by defeating the Republic of Ireland in a play-off, only to finish last in their group after losses to the Netherlands, France and England in Switzerland. Rhian Wilkinson’s team is now targeting their first Women’s World Cup, and with Euro 2029 on the horizon, the FAW argues an enlarged tournament would benefit smaller nations. ## FAW chief outlines push for 24-team Euros Noel Mooney, chief executive of the Football Association of Wales, confirmed the push for a 24-team Women’s Euros. He told a national outlet that Wales is urging Uefa to adopt the larger format by 2029, arguing it would be fair and inclusive. ‘We’re lobbying quite strongly with Uefa to try and move from a 16-team Euros to 24 teams like the men,’ Mooney stated. ‘I don’t see why we shouldn’t have 24 teams for 2029. We think that’s right, we think that’s fair, so we’re lobbying for that which would obviously give teams like ourselves or our neighbours in Scotland or Northern Ireland or Republic of Ireland a greater chance to play at the Euros.’ ## Past expansion boosted men’s Welsh sides The men’s European Championship expanded to 24 teams ahead of Euro 2016, a move that helped Wales qualify for their first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup. Under Chris Coleman, Wales reached the semi-finals in France, which sparked a golden era that included qualification for Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup. The women’s team made their major finals debut at Euro 2025, drawn in the same group as England, while Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland missed out on that edition. ## Impact on neighboring nations highlighted Mooney emphasized the broader benefits of a larger tournament, noting the Republic of Ireland’s narrow miss for Euro 2025. ‘The Republic lost out to us going to Euro 2025, but if that was a 24-team tournament they’d have been there and that would have been a huge lift for their country,’ he said. Wales recognize they were beneficiaries of expansion in the men’s game and, while focused on reaching the Women’s World Cup, view an enlarged Euros as a more attainable goal for European minnows. ## Wales eyes World Cup and Euro 2029 Wales secured top spot in their 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifying group by beating the Czech Republic on Tuesday, setting up two European play-off ties. They may also face an inter-confederation play-off, reflecting the complexity of the current qualifying system overseen by Fifa. Given the difficult path to the World Cup, Wales see Euro 2029 as a more realistic target, and an expanded field would improve their prospects of qualifying. ## Uefa support and internal advocates The FAW believes it has influential allies within Uefa, including Nadine Kessler, the governing body’s chief of women and girls’ football. Mooney, a former Uefa employee, praised Kessler’s progressive stance and added that Uefa itself has been forward-thinking on women’s football. Laura McAllister, a former Wales captain and current Uefa vice president, is also seen as a key voice for the cause. Mooney said the group is working with neighboring nations to present a united case to Uefa, arguing that if expansion makes sense for the men’s competition, it should apply to the women’s as well.