The Wales Football Association is thinking about changing the titles of its national teams formally. At the Football Organization (FAW) headquarters and in official correspondence from the association, national teams are already referred to as Cymru, the Welsh name for the nation of Wales, but that is not yet the case on the international scene.
Wales would change its name to Türkiye, following in the footsteps of Turkey, which successfully applied to do so this year. For instance, FIFA communications like the global ranking may use this new moniker. Wales and Turkey are in the same group during the European Championship qualification process in 2024. FAW general manager Noel Mooney told the BBC, “We discussed it with representatives of Turkey during the draw.”
Additionally, ‘low-threshold negotiations’ with UEFA representatives were held. The Welshmen were curious as to how Turkey’s name had changed. “Is there a discernible trend that people speak their own language more frequently? We asked them what they noticed. I am aware of the Welsh Renaissance and the great pride we have in our management of our culture,” he added.
Wales Football Association to be renamed Cymru
Mooney asserts that Cymru should ‘always’ be used to refer to the national team. “Here, we employ that name. It is obvious that we are referred to as Cymru within our own nation. Our national teams go by that name. Our website and the manner we present ourselves both reflect this. We still have international business to complete, therefore we will be representing Wales at this World Cup.”
In 2023, the director believes that there will be “a nice conversation” with interested parties. He lists the following as examples: “Governments, our board, bodies that make decisions, staff members, clubs, and players. Our organisation is democratic and open. Such decisions do not come to us by our own volition or overnight. Though it’s not yet being taken seriously, I’d say it’s moving in that direction.”
