World Cup 2022: Wales qualifies for final after 64 year wait

5 June 2022, 18:56 BST

Updated 1 minute ago

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Wales players celebrate qualifying for their first World Cup since 1958

Wales has qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 64 years after beating Ukraine in a play-off for this year’s finals in Qatar.

Wales beat Ukraine 1-0 in Cardiff after captain Gareth Bale’s free-kick was deflected into the visiting goal by Ukraine skipper Andriy Yarmolenko.

Fans are celebrating with many telling BBC Wales they never thought they would see this moment in their lifetime.

Wales’ first minister, Michael Sheen, Gabby Logan, and a wealth of Welsh celebrities joined supporters from around the world praising the team.

“It’s amazing what we can achieve when the whole country comes together,” said Mark Drakeford.

“Commiserations to Ukraine – despite our differences on the field, Wales stands with you.”

Fans leaving the Cardiff City Stadium after the game in the pouring rain sang and cheered as they celebrated Wales qualifying for the finals in Qatar in late November.

Ukraine fans had praised the home supporters for their welcome in Cardiff while the Welsh FA had invited the UK’s Ukrainian ambassador to the game in support to the people of Ukraine in the war with Russia.

As well as holding banners in solidarity to Ukraine before kick-off, fans enjoyed a rousing rendition of Welsh football anthem Yma o Hyd from folk singer Dafydd Iwan.

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Wales fans had showed solidarity and support with supporters from Ukraine

‘World Cup qualification means everything’

“It’s the first time in both of our lifetimes that we’ve seen Wales qualify for a World Cup final,” said the 63-year-old from Llanelli, who went to the game with his 14-year-old granddaughter Katie.

Image caption,

Clive Frances has followed the Wales team across the world and now says he has to go to the World Cup

“I was born in 1959 so I missed the last time, so this is brilliant,” he said.

“I’ve followed Wales all over the world and been to three continents, but this will be my first World Cup, it’s tremendous and I’ve got to go. This means everything to me.”

Katie added: “It’s amazing and it’s amazing to see my grandad so happy.”

“I’ve no words to explain how I am feeling and what it means to me and my country,” said the 47-year-old computer programmer from Cardiff.

Image caption,

David O’Gorman says he finds it hard to explain how much Wales qualifying for a World Cup means to him

“We’ve had so many heartbreaks so that makes today all the more unbelievable.”

Tracey Shanahan headed straight to the match after arriving home from Poland on Sunday afternoon, said the result made her feel proud to be Welsh.

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Tracey Shanahan said even the Cardiff rain shouldn’t take the shine off an “emotional night”

“It makes me proud, very proud,” said the 56-year-old from Cardiff.

“It’s great for the fans, great for the team, great for the country. I’m a bit stuck for words to be honest, it’s a bit of an emotional night, it’s just fantastic, never-mind the rain it doesn’t matter.”

Sal Farreed said he’d never thought he’d see the day when his beloved Wales would be at a World Cup finals.

Image caption,

Sal Farreed couldn’t stop smiling leaving the Cardiff City Stadium after Wales qualified for the World Cup.

“Wales in the World Cup… This is bliss” said the 50-year-old from Lampeter.

“I never thought I’d ever see this in my lifetime, never thought this day would come.”

Image caption,

Alex, Owen and Mike celebrate Wales’ win and qualification for the Qatar World Cup

Mike and his friend Alex had been watching Wales for 30-odd years and “had seen many heartaches” with the national but makes qualifying for the 2022 finals “extra special”.

“It was a bit of a rollercoaster today I’m glad it worked out for us in the end”, said Alex, from Pontyclun who was with son Owen.

“It’s been so many years of not quite qualifying and now finally doing it – we’re in the World Cup, so it’s amazing.”

Owen, 16, added he was “absolutely buzzing” and is glad that “everyone will know how we are now.”

Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker congratulated the Wales team after Sunday’s victory, tweeting: “It’s a shame it had to be at the expense of Ukraine, but it’s a wonderful achievement. Well played.”

Image source, Getty Images

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Wales fans all over the world will be celebrating long into the night after qualifying for a World Cup

BBC Wales reporter Paul Piggott at the Cardiff City Stadium

While the rain pours down on Cardiff some fans are still here celebrating, soaking up the atmosphere – they don’t care about the weather!

It’s been such an emotional moment, some fans were in tears, some were lost for words as they poured out of the stadium singing, celebrating and cheering

There’s one thing on every Welsh fans lips they are overjoyed to say Wales is going to the World Cup and no rain is going to dampen anyone’s mood after 64 years waiting.󠁷

When was the last time Wales qualified for a World Cup?

The Welsh men’s team have not played at football’s World Cup finals since 1958 – the longest drought of any team in Europe.

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Comedian Elis James explains how Wales made it to their only World Cup

Only Cuba and Indonesia – who played at the 1938 finals in France – have gone longer than Wales without qualifying for another World Cup final.

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Brazil superstar Pele scored his first international goal in their 1958 World Cup game with Wales

The then 17-year-old scored the only goal – and his first on the international stage – as eventual tournament winners Brazil beat Wales 1-0 in their quarter final.

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Paul Bodin misses a penalty against Romania as Wales failed to qualify for the 1994 World Cup