Wales fail to regain European place after poor results

The New Saints players look dejected after losing on penalties to Estonian side Flora Tallinn in their Conference League second qualifying round tieFAW

The New Saints were one of four Cymru Premier sides to lose at the first hurdle this season

Poor results from Cymru Premier sides in European competitions this season mean the league will remain with only three qualification places for the 2028-29 campaign.

Wales' national league already knew its spots would be reduced from the current four places to three next season based on previous results.

But following just one win in 10 attempts across Uefa Champions League and Conference League qualification fixtures in July, the Cymru Premier's ranking remains one of the lowest in Europe.

Wales are currently ranked 54th out of 55 nations in Uefa's coefficient table, which is used to determine the number of European places given to each national league.

Only San Marino, another association without a professional national league, are below Wales in the table.

Three rather than four places are awarded to nations ranked 51-55.

Rankings at the end of the 2026-27 season are used to determine the places given for the 2028-29 season.

Substitute Ben Wilson scores for The New Saints in stoppage time against Flora TallinnFAW

TNS substitute Ben Wilson scored in stoppage time against Flora Tallinn to take the tie into extra time

Confirmation of Wales' allocation for the 2028-29 season came after The New Saints were knocked out of the Conference League on Thursday.

TNS, who have won the title in 13 out of the past 15 seasons, lost on penalties in the second qualifying round to Estonian side Flora Tallinn.

Caernarfon, Penybont and Connah's Quay Nomads had already lost in the first qualifying round of the Conference League.

Of the three, only Connah's Quay Nomads managed to score a goal over the two-legged ties against teams from Estonia, Andorra and Kosovo.

TNS had dropped into Conference League qualification after losing 4-1 to Sabah of Azerbaijan over two legs in the Champions League.

This is the second successive season that the Oswestry-based side, who are the Cymru Premier's only professional outfit, have lost both their opening Champions League and Conference League ties.

Those disappointing results followed their qualification for the Conference League group stage in 2024-25.

"It's devastating," said TNS manager Craig Harrison after watching his side lose on penalties at home to Flora.

"Europe is so important for this club, and unfortunately we're not in it now."

What were the Cymru Premier results in Europe?

Of the 10 ties played by Cymru Premier clubs this season, TNS were the only ones to register a win - beating Flora Tallinn 1-0 in the second leg on Thursday to level the tie on aggregate.

Only four goals were scored by the Welsh clubs - with TNS and Connah's Quay scoring two each - while 22 goals were conceded.

Confirmation of another season with only three places in Europe comes on the eve of the Cymru Premier's re-launch.

The league has expanded from 12 to 16 teams, with games predominantly played on Friday nights.

The league's governing body, the Football Association of Wales, hope the changes will increase attendances, standards and attract more outside investment.