' Wales invited to Tournament in March 2018 '

Wales invited to take part in China Cup in March 2018

By Ian Hunt

BBC Sport Wales

Monday 16th October 2017


Wales failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup despite winning three of their last four qualifiers


Wales have been invited to take part in the China Cup in March 2018.

The four-team competition was held for the first time in January 2017 and featured Chile, Croatia and Iceland as well as hosts China.

The prospect of Real Madrid star Gareth Bale travelling to the Far East to take part is thought to be a major factor in Wales being invited.

Wales would be guaranteed two matches - a semi final and a final or third-place play-off.

The games, which would take place in Nanning in the south of China, would fall within Fifa's scheduled international window between 19 and 27 March.

But the Football Association of Wales is looking into the logistics of what would be a near 12,000-mile round trip to China before deciding whether to accept the invitation.

They squad would have to be back in the UK in enough time for the players to rejoin their clubs before the Premier League and Championship fixtures resume on 31 March.

Chile beat Iceland to win the inaugural China Cup, while China finished third after beating Croatia in the third-place play-off.

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Fantastic news!

From a personal point of view, would be a cracking week away! A really different experience to one we would usually have following Wales away.

From a football point of view, I've been saying for a while that I feel Wales need more experience playing teams from outside Europe, and this would provide a great opportunity, with Uruguay being another team reportedly invited, and of course, China!

I hope this report is true, and that the FAW do accept the invitation

The 2018 Gree China Cup International Football Championship will be the second edition of the China Cup, an official international football tournament. It will be held from March 2018 in Nanning, China.

Teams
China PR
Czech Republic
Uruguay
Wales

The 2018 Gree China Cup International Football Championship will be the second edition of the China Cup, an official international football tournament. It will be held from March 2018 in Nanning, China.

Teams
China PR
Czech Republic
Uruguay
Wales

Cheers Chris

Would love to go to this but not going to be possible!
My old man has already started looking into it

We’ll send half a team, as most players at big clubs will have convenient injuries to prevent them travelling 12,000 miles at a key point in the proper football season. We aren’t going to the World Cup, so who is going to want to travel that far for 2 friendlies?

£1 a pint on average in China, some towns it's only 48p a pint!! China here we come!

We’ll send half a team, as most players at big clubs will have convenient injuries to prevent them travelling 12,000 miles at a key point in the proper football season. We aren’t going to the World Cup, so who is going to want to travel that far for 2 friendlies?

i agree..and for this reason think it ill thought out.

I was led to believe the FAW haven't as yet so confirmed attendance as they are looking at the logistics and what players need to get back for league football.

I was led to believe the FAW haven't as yet so confirmed attendance as they are looking at the logistics and what players need to get back for league football.

I suspect that they will be offered a lot of money to go there. But if the Chinese expect to see Gareth Bale they’re going to be very disappointed because Real Madrid won’t let him go that far for a friendly. And I don’t blame them.

From what ive heard the contract states we MUST field our best side otherwise the money dramatically decreases.