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Wales will NOT move Nations League games to Principality Stadium even if they draw England after League A promotion

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WALES are set to resist moving lucrative Nations League home games in June to the Principality Stadium – even if they draw England.

Rob Page’s Dragons could face the Three Lions when the draw for League A of the 2022/23 competition takes place in Nyon, Switzerland on Thursday.

Wales manager Rob PageCredit: PA

Gareth Bale and co will face one of Europe’s elite from Pot 1 in France, Spain, Italy and Belgium with big hitters Portugal, Netherlands and Germany in Pot 2 and arch rivals England among the sides in Pot 3.

Wales are in Pot 4 after winning promotion from the 2020/21 Nations League when they beat Finland 3-1 in Cardiff last November.

Page’s side have already declared they will play their 2022 World Cup home play-off semi-final clash against Austria at the Cardiff City Stadium in March.

And the Football Association of Wales have also stated that if they beat Austria and take on either Scotland or Ukraine in a final they would stay at the 33,000-capacity stadium venue.

The Principality Stadium, with a much larger capacity of 74,500, has previously hosted the 2017 Champions League final as well as FA Cup finals.

While there would be a seven-figure financial incentive for the FAW if they moved glamour games through ticket sales, hospitality and merchandise, there are many factors against any potential switch.

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Firstly, Wales are on an incredible run at the Cardiff City Stadium and are three years unbeaten since they lost to Denmark.

The previous time the Dragons played at the Principality Stadium, they were hammered 4-1 by Spain in October 2018 and it is believed the players prefer playing at the domestic ground.

Secondly, The Red Wall – Wales’ hardcore support – are firmly against moving back to the bigger venue where they played in the early part of this century and beat the likes of Italy in 2002 because Cardiff’s home ground offers a better atmosphere and is viewed more as a football stadium which gives them home advantage.

Thirdly, there is the complication of concerts already booked in for the Principality Stadium next summer. Ed Sheeran has booked three dates between May 26-28.

While the Stereophonics, who will be supported by Tom Jones, saw their gigs for December rescheduled last week for June 17 and 18.

It is believed it would take ten days for the stadium to be reconfigured from a concert to a sports environment so the logistics are extremely tight.

There are four matchdays of the Nations League in June.

The first two are between June 2-8 with the second two between June 8-14 with the final two group matches due to be played in September.

Rob Page celebrates in a World Cup qualifier with BelgiumCredit: Getty

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk

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