Association football is one of the most popular sports in Wales, along with rugby union. Wales has produced club teams of varying fortunes since the early birth of football during the Victorian period, and in 1876 a Wales national football team played their first international match. Football has always had a close rivalry with the country's de facto national sport rugby union, and it is much discussed as to which is Wales' more popular game. The Football Association of Wales (FAW), was established in 1876 to oversee the Wales national team and govern the sport in Wales, later creating and running the Welsh football league system.
The Wales national women's football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales (FAW), the governing body for football in Wales and the third-oldest national football association in the world, founded in 1876.
The 1992–93 League of Wales was the inaugural season of the League of Wales, the top division of Welsh football. The League was made up of 20 member clubs that joined from leagues within both the English football league system and Welsh football league system.
Jason Perry is a Welsh former professional footballer and Wales international. A centre-half, he was highly regarded by supporters for his strong tackling and uncompromising style. He attained one cap for Wales in 1994.
Jessica Anne Fishlock is a Welsh professional footballer and coach who plays as a midfielder for Seattle Reign FC and the Wales national team. She previously played for Bristol Academy in England's FA Women's Super League, AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch Eredivisie, Glasgow City in the Scottish Women's Premier League, Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City in Australia's W-League, as well as Bundesliga club FFC Frankfurt in Germany.
Helen Jane Ward is a former international football striker who last played club football for Watford. Ward previously spent three seasons with Chelsea Ladies, whom she joined from Arsenal in 2010. Born in the London Borough of Brent, Ward began her career with 14 years at Watford Ladies where she was a prolific goal scorer and team captain.
Gwennan Mary Harries is a former Welsh football striker who had two spells with FA WSL club Bristol Academy, split by three seasons away playing for Everton. She was born in Bridgend and won 56 caps for the Wales women's national football team, scoring 18 goals.
Cheryl Foster is a Welsh football referee and former player. She became the all-time record appearance holder for the Wales women's national football team in 2009, after making her senior international debut in 1997. At club level Foster spent nine years with Liverpool, playing in the first two seasons of the FA WSL in 2011 and 2012. She signed for Liverpool's FA WSL rivals Doncaster Rovers Belles in January 2013, before retiring later that season.
Emma Jane Plewa is a footballer who plays for the Welsh national team and Wimbledon. Plewa plays as a winger or forward.
Emma Louise Jones is a footballer who plays for the Welsh national team and the women's section of Cardiff City FC. Jones plays as a central defender and has accumulated a half-century of caps for Wales.
Katie Sherwood is a former footballer who played for the Welsh national women's team. Sherwood plays as a central midfielder and has a half-century of caps for Wales. She is from Llanrumney.
Lauren Wells is a football goalkeeper from Reading who plays for the Welsh national team and Bristol Ladies Union.
Sharla Louise Passariello is a footballer who plays for the Welsh national team and UMF Selfoss. Passariello plays as a striker and came through the youth system at Bristol Academy.
Kerrie Elizabeth Manley is a former footballer from Shrewsbury who played for the Welsh national team and Coventry City. Manley played predominantly as a centre back and accumulated over 30 caps for Wales.
Loren Dykes is a football coach and player who is the assistant coach for Bristol City and a player for Cardiff City and the Wales women's national football team.
Helen Bleazard is a former English–born footballer who played for the Welsh national team and Yeovil Town. She previously played in the FA WSL for Bristol Academy and Chelsea Ladies. Bleazard usually plays as a wide midfielder or forward and switched allegiance to Wales after playing for England at youth level.
Hayley Elizabeth Ladd is a professional footballer who plays as a defender or midfielder for Women's Super League club Manchester United. Born in England, she has been capped internationally for Wales.
Sophie Louise Ingle is a Welsh footballer who plays for the FA WSL club Chelsea and is the captain of the Wales national team. She has previously represented Bristol Academy, Cardiff City, and Liverpool. Ingle plays as either a defender or defensive midfielder.
Natasha Marie Harding is a retired Welsh footballer.
Angharad Jane James, also known as Angharad James-Turner, is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for National Women's Soccer League club Seattle Reign and the Wales national team.
