The Wales national football team's only World Cup appearance was in 1958, when they drew all the matches in their group and reached the quarter-finals, losing 1–0 to Brazil.

They have never qualified for the European Championship, last losing in the playoffs for place in Euro 2004 against Russia, who had a player (Egor Titov) test positive for banned drug use after the first qualifying leg. The sports governing body, however, decided to take no action against the team besides from asking them not to play Titov again. Many in Wales still feel aggrieved at the situation.

Former player Mark Hughes served as manager through the 2004 season, but he left to concentrate on his new job as manager of Blackburn Rovers of the English Premiership. John Toshack was appointed manager for the second time on 12 November 2004, ten years after he had resigned from the position after one game in charge.

World Cup record

• 1930 to 1938 - Did not enter
• 1950 - Did not qualify
• 1954 - Did not qualify
• 1958 - Quarter-finals
• 1962 to 2006 - Did not qualify

European Championship record

• 1960 - Did not enter
• 1964 to 2004 - Did not qualify

Famous players

• Craig Bellamy
• John Charles
• Chris Coleman
• Robert Earnshaw
• Ryan Giggs
• John Hartson
• Mark Hughes
• Vinnie Jones
• Ian Rush
• Robbie Savage
• Neville Southall