Craig Knight has named his Cymru squad for the upcoming UEFA Under-17 European Championship finals in Hungary later this month.
Knight has selected 22 players in his squad, who will become the first Cymru men’s age-group side to feature at a major tournament since 1981.
Cymru will kick off the tournament with a clash against the hosts Hungary at Hidegkuti Nándor Stadion on Wednesday 17 May, with a 7pm BST kick-off.
Their second fixture against the Republic of Ireland will take place at Pancho Aréna three days later at 3:30pm BST.
Cymru will then round off the group stage at BSC Stadium on Tuesday 23 May, with a 7pm BST kick-off.
The top two in each group will advance to the knockout phase. While the tournament will also act as UEFA’s qualifier for the 2023 FIFA U17 World Cup later this year. The four semi-finalists will earn places along with the winners of a play-off for Europe’s fifth spot between the two beaten quarter-finals with the best record in the group stage.
Cymru’s Route to Qualifying
Cymru’s journey to the finals began in October 2022 with a 2-0 victory over Croatia in the qualifying round before a dramatic 3-3 draw with Sweden and goalless draw against Albania.
Craig Knight’s side were the only side to go unbeaten in their qualifying group and finished top to advance to the elite round, where they were drawn against Scotland, Iceland and Montenegro.
Cymru beat Scotland 4-2 at Rodney Parade in their elite round opener before a 1-1 draw with Iceland followed at Dragon Park three days later. Cymru knew a draw would be enough to qualify in their final game against Montenegro at Dragon Park but they were 2-0 down at the break after two quick-fire goals on the stroke of half time.
But second-half goals from Iwan Morgan and Dylan Lawlor ensured Cymru earned a draw and sealed the point they needed to top the group and reach the finals for the first time.
Cymru MU17: Alfie CUNNINGHAM (Exeter City), Alfie TUCK (Queens Park Rangers), Brayden CLARKE (Wolves), Charlie CREW (Leeds United), Cody TWOSE (Cardiff City), Dan COX (Derby County), Dylan LAWLOR (Cardiff City), Freddie ISSAKA (Plymouth Argyle), Gabriele BIANCHERI (Manchester United), George MORGAN (Everton), Iwan MORGAN (Swansea City), Jacob COOK (Swansea City), Joe ANDREWS (Southampton), Joe HATCH (Plymouth Argyle), Josh BEECHER (Cardiff City), Kit MARGETSON (Swansea City), Lewys BENJAMIN (Cardiff City), Luey GILES (Cardiff City), Luke ARMSTRONG (Cardiff City), Rhys THOMAS (Manchester City), Sam PARKER (Swansea City), Troy PERRETT (Cardiff City).
