Along with other progressive nations with teams in this tournament we have raised serious concerns about workers’ rights and LGBTQ+ rights in Qatar. The First Minister raised these matters directly with the Qatari ambassador to the UK. I have since written to the Qatari ambassador to the UK condemning the homophobic comments made by a Qatari world cup ambassador. Ministers continue to meet with stakeholders, including the international TUC and the Rainbow Wall fans group, to engage on these critical issues. We recognise the significance of these issues and that some fans will choose not to travel as a result. Our decisions do not in any way seek to minimise the injustices in question, and we will work to ensure that our presence leaves a positive impact.

With enormous audiences expected for the USA and England fixtures, we have an opportunity to project the values that we as a Government have been consistent on. We support the team’s commitment to wear the 'One Love' rainbow armband and commend the decision taken by those in the Wales camp to speak out on these issues in recent weeks. We are proud of the stance taken by the team. Wales is fortunate to be represented by this special group of players under Rob Page’s leadership. The FAW, players and fans are rightly looking to the Welsh Government for advice, support and leadership on these matters. We are working closely with them to help ensure that we deliver a distinctive and progressive Welsh presence at the tournament.

As we face our neighbours and sporting rivals England in the group stage, we also have a rare opportunity before a truly global audience to demonstrate clearly that Wales is a distinct nation within the UK. Earlier today, I was joined by members of Cardiff-based group Hoops and Loops while attending the final pre-world cup training session at the Cardiff City Stadium. This is an LGBTQ+ refugee and asylum seeker support group for people who have come to Wales to escape domestic violence, persecution and even the threat of death. Wales’s status as a nation of sanctuary matters. It is a core part of the values we choose to stand for. I am delighted that those who are building a new life here were able to join us as we mark this major moment in Welsh sporting history.

It is vital that the global game learns lessons from this tournament and does so urgently. With an audience of 5 billion people, we know that many of those watching the world cup will know very little, if anything, of Wales. As we introduce Wales to new audiences across the globe, we will promote an open, progressive nation and maximise opportunities to celebrate our values. Our programme of activity is now truly well under way. From Tylorstown Welfare Hall in the Rhondda Fach, Robert Page revealed his 26-player world cup squad to be led by our talisman and captain, Gareth Bale. We are in no doubt that they will give everything for the shirt and for generations of fans who thought these days may never come again. 

I am pleased to confirm four fresh additions to Tîm Cymru 22, with our new group of Welsh ambassadors. The ambassadors, under the banner of Lleisiau Cymru, are made up of a diverse mix of our voices that will promote the very best of Wales to the world. We are incredibly fortunate to have recruited Olympian, world champion and world record holder Colin Jackson, former Wales captain turned professor Laura McAllister, DJ and presenter Katie Owen, and the renowned chef Bryn Williams. As part of the wider Team Wales 22 approach, FAW ambassadors and Wales footballing legends Jess Fishlock and Ian Rush will also support our programme activities.

I have previously updated Members on the partner support fund, confirming the 19 successful projects. The work is supporting Gŵyl Cymru, a range of over 200 events celebrating arts and sport. S4C has organised a concert to take Wales to the world in New York, which took place last night and will be broadcast this weekend. The Urdd have delivered their biggest singing jamboree ever across schools, involving more than 230,000 children, and StreetGames Wales have reached out to our least well-off communities, delivering doorstep sports sites across 36 communities in Wales. This is just a snapshot of the activity that is already under way.

We're also implementing our enhanced marketing campaign, focused on target markets including the USA, key European audiences and the UK across brand, business and tourism, as well as a strong in-Wales campaign. Our activities will include a core digital marketing strand focused on tourism, as well as trade and investment markets. We are delivering activities across the world, working with Tîm Cymru 22 and through our overseas offices. We will be launching a Wales-specific art installation at the Corniche in Doha to promote Wales at the tournament. There will be Welsh content in the UK GREAT garden pavilion and festival, and a Welsh-themed reception on 21 November hosted by the British ambassador to Qatar with the First Minister as the chief guest. In the US, we are supporting a Soccer in the Circle event in Washington, a cultural stakeholder event in New York, an e-gaming event in Atlanta, and business events in Chicago and Los Angeles. 

To support our objective to promote a progressive Wales, the First Minister will attend Wales’s first group game for 64 years against the USA, and I will attend the England game. These represent the most significant opportunities for us to raise the profile of Wales, and make connections where we can share our interests and values. Welsh Ministers will not be attending the Iran game and will be supporting Wales from home. To ensure the safety and security of Welsh citizens in Qatar, we have engaged with the UK Government and with a range of Government agencies, as well as UK police forces. Regular channels of contact have continued for updates on matters of security and safety with the Qatari supreme committee, which is the committee responsible for managing the event in the country. We have also been in regular contact with the UK embassy in Qatar and His Majesty’s ambassador in the Qatar office.

To ensure that we secure a positive and lasting legacy, we will evaluate these activities in supporting the world cup to learn lessons from these interventions for future sports diplomacy opportunities. We are also committed to our investment priorities in sporting facilities here in Wales, with a capital budget of £24 million over the next three years alongside our investment in schools facilities. Dirprwy Llywydd, the Welsh Government does not underestimate the seriousness of the issues that this tournament has raised for our citizens, sporting bodies and Governments everywhere. I am pleased that our plans reinforce the values that make Wales. I am sure you’ll all join with me in wishing Robert Page and the team all of the best in this world cup—pob lwc, Cymru.