FAW chief executive Mooney extends contract to 2030

Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney has extended his contract to 2030.

The 49-year-old Irishman left Uefa to join the Welsh football governing body in the summer of 2021.

Since then, Wales' men's national team have qualified for a first World Cup for 64 years while the women's side made their major tournament debut at last summer's Euros.

Using some of the money generated in the elite game, Mooney and the FAW have focused on improving grassroots football.

Since the Cymru Football Foundation, the FAW's charitable arm, was established in 2022, it has distributed almost £30 million across grassroots facilities in Wales.

Mooney has also overseen some contentious moments, such as the failed attempt to give Wales' four English Football League clubs the chance to qualify for Europe via a Welsh domestic cup.

According to a statement from the FAW, the governing body has "undergone a far-reaching period of modernisation, delivering sustained progress on and off the pitch".

The statement added: "Under Mooney's leadership, the FAW has been recognised as one of the most progressive and admired governing bodies in the British Isles, while football has become Wales' most popular sport for both boys and girls in terms of interest and participation."

As the FAW celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2026, it will launch a new 10-year strategic plan "aimed at strengthening Welsh football at every level".

• 'World Cup could earn millions for Welsh grassroots'
• Ex-Wales rugby star Owens joins new FAW committee
• Wales hope 'genius' Bellamy stays amid club interest

Before joining the FAW, Mooney spent 10 years with Uefa, most recently as head of national associations business development, having previously held roles in marketing after joining from the Football Association of Ireland.

"We are on a fantastic journey, and I want to thank everyone who is supporting us and Welsh football more generally," said Mooney.

"We were confident that we could build a great sports organisation and we have already achieved so much in a relatively short space of time.

"However, we have a lot to do to become the world-class football association that we can and must become, and we are absolutely determined to deliver this fully before I pass the baton on to the next leader."

FAW president Mike Jones, added: "Noel has brought a new level of ambition and collaboration to Welsh football, enabling us to grow at every level.

"Noel cares deeply about every club, league and area association in Wales, which we see every day in how he leads the organisation."

FAW independent chair Alys Carlton, said: "The FAW board is delighted to see Noel extend his time leading the FAW, and I know he is determined to leave a legacy that will see Welsh football stronger than ever.

"He has immersed himself in Welsh culture and society, keen to understand what is possible, but also pushing the boundaries beyond what is expected of a sports organisation."