The Cymru Premier has its four representatives for Europe confirmed for next season.
Haverfordwest County overcame Newtown on penalties to win in their first play-off final appearance. The Bluebirds will play in Europe for the first time in nearly 20 years.
The New Saints are involved in European qualifying for the 24th year in a row. It’s their second consecutive Champions League campaign after winning the league back-to-back years. Craig Harrison will get to manage them in Europe for the first time since 2016.
Penybont are debutants on the continental stage but manager Rhys Griffiths has played in Europe for Llanelli and Cwmbran Town.
Connah’s Quay are back in European competitions after being absent last summer – owing to a points deduction from the FAW, as well as a reduced European spot.
When are the draws?
The Champions League first qualifying round and the UEFA Conference League draws will both take place on Tuesday, June 20.
Where will the matches be played?
The New Saints can play their qualifiers at their usual at Park Hall up until the third qualifying round.
Connah’s Quay – despite moving to the Essity Stadium – will be playing their matches at TNS.
It has not yet been confirmed but Penybont are said to be exploring the option of playing at The Brewery Field – the home of the Welsh Premiership rugby team the Bridgend Ravens. An alternative venue could be Leckwith Stadium – which has hosted Barry Town and Cardiff Met before.
As for Haverfordwest, they are likely to play at Aberystwyth Town’s Park Avenue, which is one of the closest UEFA complian grounds to them. The West Wales side are improving their Bridge Meadow home, but they will have to make a trip 127.2-mile-round trip to Ceredigion.
When will the ties take place?
The Champions League first qualifying round first leg tie will take place on Tuesday, July 11, or Wednesday, July 12. The reverse fixture will be on Tuesday, July 18, or Wednesday, July 19.
The Europa Conference League matches are on Thursday, July 23, and then Thursday, July 20.
Some teams in the draw may ground share or play at the same venue which does mean ties can be played on the Tuesday. As for the Europa Conference League, TNS’ game takes precedent at Park Hall, so should both they and Connah’s Quay be drawn at home, their match will take place first.
Who can they play?
The access lists for both the UEFA Champions League and Europa Conference League are not yet confirmed but we do have some idea.
In the Champions League, it is likely TNS will be seeded which means they will be viewed as the ‘favoured’ side. They have accumulated several coefficient points for Wales, and themselves to put them in that position.
Possible opponents for TNS:
KI (Faroe Islands), Dinamo Tbilisi (Georgia), Rakow Czestochowa (Poland), BK Hacken (Sweden), Valmiera (Lativa), Larne (Northern Ireland), Hamrun Spartans (Malta), Swift Hesperange (Luxembourg), Struga (Macedonia).
Olimpija Ljubana (Slovenia), Zrinjski Mostar (Bosnia), Lincoln Red Imps (Gibraltar) are not yet seeded. We’re still waiting for the champions of Montenegro, Andorra, Cyprus, Romania, Moldova, Armenia, Kosovo, and Albania.
Possible opponents for Connah’s Quay:
Panevezys (Lithuania), Honka (Finland), Balzan (Malta), Haka (Finland), Dila Gori (Georgia), Birkirkara (malta), Hegelmann (Lithuania), Isolch Minsk Ralon (Belarus), KA (Iceland), Bruno’s Magpies. Winner of Macedonian Cup (Macedonia), Runners-up of San Marino League (San Marino).
Possible opponents for Haverfordwest County and Penybont:
F91 Dudelange (Luxembourg), Riga (Latvia), Shkendija (Macedonia), Linfield (Northern Ireland), DAC Dunajska Streda (Slovenia), Dundalk (Ireland), Shkupi (Macedonia), RFS (Latvia), Tobol (Kazakhstan), B36 Torshavn (Faroe Islands), Gzira United (Malta), FCI Levadia (Estonia), Dinamo Minsk (Belarus), HB Torshavn (Faroe Islands), Europa (Gibraltar), FC Santa Coloma (Andorra), Runners-up of Armenian Premier League, Runners-up of Montenegro Lego
Undecided on seeding:
Progres Niederkorn (Luxembourg), Dinamo Batumi (Georgia), Crusaders (Northern Ireland), Paide Linnameeskond (Estonia), Borac Banja Luka (Bosnia), Torpedo Kutaisi (Georgia), Vikingur Reykjavik (Iceland), St Patrick’s Athletic (Ireland), Vikingur (Faroe Islands), Derry City (Ireland), Slovakia play-off winners, third-placed Slovenia, fourth-placed Slovenia, Runners-up and third place of Moldova. Third place of Bosnia, runners-up and third place of Kosovo, winners of the Armenia Cup, and third place of the Armenian Premier League. Winners of NIFL Premiership play-off, winners of Albanian Cup, runners-up, and third place of Albania. Winners of Estonian, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, Andorran, and San Marino Cups.
What is Wales’ coefficient position?
Wales currently has four European spots and is ranked 50th out of 55 countries. If they fall to 51st or lower, they will lose their four European spots. A drop to 52nd would require the national champions of Wales to play in the preliminary round of the Champions League.
Next summer, Wales will be ranked 49th and above Belarus, Gibraltar, Macedonia, Montenegro, Andorra and San Marino. Their closest team will be Albania.
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