Wales chase U20 World Cup play‑off after heavy losses

Wales U19, host of the UEFA Men's Under‑19 Championship in north Wales, enter their final Group A match on Saturday after a 7‑0 defeat to Spain and a 4‑0 loss to Germany, with the winner earning a spot in a U20 World Cup play‑off.

The final Group A fixture pits Wales against fellow winless Denmark at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground. The victor will secure a place in a UEFA Under‑20 World Cup play‑off at Bangor's Nantporth Stadium next Wednesday.

The play‑off pits the Group A winner against the third‑placed side from Group B. Group B currently lists Ukraine first, Italy second, Croatia third and Serbia fourth.

Chris Gunter described the upcoming clash as “a shootout”. He added that reaching a play‑off for the World Cup – the biggest tournament in youth football – is “an opportunity for them”.

Gunter admitted his players must first accept “the disappointment like there was on the weekend”. He then stressed they have “90 minutes to get yourself into a play‑off” and that the chance “won’t be overlooked by any of the players or the staff”.

Gunter noted Denmark have also lost to Germany and Spain, but called them “a very good team” that will pose problems. He recalled his own experience as a member of Wales’ senior squad at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Denmark, like Wales, have never appeared at the FIFA U20 World Cup. Both nations are therefore fighting for their first appearance at that level.

Victory in the play‑off would send the side to the inter‑confederation play‑off tournament, offering a route to the 2027 FIFA U20 World Cup in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.