Wales gearing up for Qatar!

A proud Welsh nation is busy clearing its throat to celebrate the achievement of Rob Page’s side as they look ahead to their first World Cup in over 60 years next month.

A range of activities are in hand all over Wales.

The world’s first ever festival of football culture is being launched in Wrexham, Cymru with the support of the Football Association of Wales (FAW).

The three day celebration will take place 11-13 November on the eve of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, at which Cymru will be one of the 32 competing nations.

Wal Goch: Festival for Football Lovers | Gŵyl i Gariadon Pêl-droed will be proudly Welsh, yet internationalist in outlook, with figures and influencers in the game from around the world in attendance for film screenings, workshops, talks, and comedy.

Big names from the worlds of football and film will come together in Wrexham, the Welsh game’s ‘spiritual home’ to celebrate and explore football culture from the perspective of the most important figures of all – the fans. The festival will whet everyone’s appetites for Qatar.

You can bet that Gôl Cymru! will also be busy in the coming months.

Gôl started in Baku, Azerbaijan where the Wales supporters visited a number of children’s homes with gifts of footballs, football kits, toys and cash donations. Since then visits to children’s homes have become a regular feature of Welsh fans’ away trips. Gôl Cymru! also helps children’s causes in Wales.

In conjunction with the Football Association of Wales, Gôl Cymru! has donated tickets for home games to several charities, including Ty Hafan, Latch and Bobath.

Travelers can also look forward to Gol’s pre-match parties in Qatar!

Several publications are also in the pipeline as the huge football fest draws near.

Rainbow Wall Photos are hard at work collating photographs to display and are hoping to upload images to their Peoples Collection Wales platform. This platform will collect the experiences and memories of the people of Wales.  They are keen to build a collection which captures the Red Wall of Wales fans and the Welsh supporters.

Finally, with Wales reaching the World Cup for the first time since 1958, Welsh publishers Y Lolfa are producing a wonderful book to inspire and excite fans before the tournament in November. Through the eyes of members of the Wal Goch, they will tell tales about the frustrating campaigns of the past and wonderful stories about following Wales around the world.

The writers evaluate the emotion and impact of the World Cup campaign, including the growth in pride towards Welshness, identity and the Welsh language, as we all look forward to seeing Wales play on the world’s biggest stage.

I am delighted to say that I have contributed a piece to this book.

Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt