The Football Association of Wales (FAW) is urging Uefa to expand the Women's European Championship from 16 to 24 teams, aligning it with the men's tournament. FAW chief executive Noel Mooney confirmed the lobbying effort, emphasizing that a larger field would give countries like Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland a better chance to participate.
Wales made their debut at a major women's tournament during Euro 2025, after defeating the Republic of Ireland in a play-off. Although they exited at the group stage, the experience has fueled ambitions for future competitions. Currently, Rhian Wilkinson's squad is pursuing a spot in the World Cup, but the FAW sees Euro 2029 as a more attainable goal with an expanded format.
Mooney, a former Uefa employee, highlighted how the men's Euros expanded to 24 teams in 2016, a move that allowed Wales to qualify for their first major tournament since 1958 and reach the semi-finals. He believes a similar expansion for women would provide a significant boost to emerging football nations.
"We're lobbying quite strongly with Uefa to try and move from a 16-team Euros to 24 teams like the men," Mooney told BBC Sport Wales. "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."
Wales recently topped their 2027 World Cup qualifying group after beating the Czech Republic, but still face a complex route through European play-offs and potentially an inter-confederation playoff. An expanded Euros, Mooney argues, would offer a more straightforward path to major tournament football for smaller nations.