Plans have been revealed for a revamped Welsh League Cup that could hand Wrexham a way into Europe, if the competition receives approval from the English Football Association (FA).
The plans were announced by the Football Association of Wales (FAW), who hope the re-launched competition will bring a £3 million ($3.6m) windfall into the club game, while also offering the winner of the competition a path into the qualifying rounds of a UEFA club competition.
The proposal would see Cardiff City, Swansea City, Newport County and Wrexham compete in a 16-team Welsh League Cup alongside the 12 JD Cymru Premier clubs, a league which will be expanded to 16 sides in 2026-27.
A source told ESPN that Wrexham are supportive of the plans as long as it receives FA approval and competing in the tournament doesn’t impact their participation in the English Football League (EFL).
The FA are discussing this proposed competition with stakeholders, a source told ESPN. If the plans are approved, the competition would start next season.
“This will be a game-changer for the development of the game as we work to unlock the full potential of Welsh football,” FAW chief executive Noel Mooney said. “It will unite Welsh football, improve the game at all levels, and deliver meaningful societal benefits across Wales making our clubs and communities more sustainable.
“It will generate significant additional revenue through a revamped Welsh League Cup competition with expanded participation of the four highest-ranked Welsh clubs that participate in the English football pyramid.
“This will be distributed throughout the JD Cymru Premier, Genero Adran Premier (Wales’ top women’s league) and grassroots facilities across the country.
“It also represents the spirit of collaboration and cooperation among football associations across the United Kingdom ahead of the home nations’ joint co-hosting Euro 2028.”
This competition is a key cornerstone of the FAW’s Prosiect (Project) Cymru, as they seek to improve their UEFA coefficient, and therefore receive a larger cut of UEFA’s financial distributions.
The Welsh clubs have agreed that any profit generated from the competition would not contribute or impact any financial regulations in the EFL or Premier League.
The plan has also been discussed with European football’s governing body UEFA as well as the Secretary of State for Wales and the Welsh Government, but is reliant on FA approval.
The next step for Swansea, Cardiff, Newport and Wrexham is to consult with their respective supporter groups.
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