Discussions about fanzones for Wales games in the World Cup are continuing, Welsh Government has said. With Qatar set to host the World Cup in November, it could be difficult for Welsh fans to travel to see the games in person and many are reluctant to go to a country notorious for discriminating against women and LGBT people.
Wales qualified for the World Cup earlier this month for the first time in 64 years. Gareth Bale's free-kick secured a 1-0 win over Ukraine in Cardiff. Wales will kick off their first group game on November 21 against USA, and then play Iran, and England.
The World Cup begins on Monday, November 21, with the final taking place on Sunday, December 18. Wales face the Netherlands twice and Belgium this month in the Nations League. They then take on Belgium and Poland in September.
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But with Qatar hosting the World Cup this year, there are fewer opportunities for Welsh fans to travel there and have the experience they had in France back in 2016. Fan zones have been used in the past for fans to gather, watch the game, and lend their support to Wales, like for Euro 2016, for instance.
Fan zones were not staged during Euro 2020 due to Covid concerns. There was also no fan zone in Cardiff for football fans to cheer on the national team as Wales secured their place in the World Cup this year.
However, Welsh Government has said that discussions about fan zones for fans to gather and support Wales in the 2022 World Cup are continuing.
“Discussions will continue with stakeholders, including the police, regarding the appetite and appropriateness for Fan Zones during the World Cup," a spokesperson for Welsh Government said.
Where and what sort of fan zones would you like to see during the World Cup? Use the comments section below
