Getty Images
Wales have won one version of the World Cup, although the trophy may look a little different to the one Argentina won last time.
Wales waited decades to play in a World Cup and then they played two finals on the same day, winning one and losing the other.
It took 64 years for the country's men's team to compete on the international stage for the second time in Qatar 2022.
But now Wales' veterans have gone even further, reaching the final of the over-75s tournament only to miss out after losing to England on penalties.
But redemption was made shortly thereafter on Friday afternoon when the over-70s faced a team called Freddie Faunt, representing the United States, and won in a penalty shootout.
Both teams were playing on home soil as the Veterans World Cup was being held in Cardiff.
The Wales over-75s team performed well against England but lost on penalties
The event, which also includes teams from Australia, Norway, Germany and Denmark, is taking place over four days at Cardiff University Stadium in the Llanrumney area of the Welsh capital.
“None of us ever thought we'd play for Wales and now here we are, in our 70s,” Wales captain Mark Entwistle, 75, said at the start of the tournament.
The Welsh men's national football team has only qualified for the World Cup knockout stages twice, in 1958 and 2022.
They reached the quarter-finals in 1958 but lost to eventual winners Brazil, and in 2022 they failed to get out of the group stage.
Fan Gary Bartlett said the players enjoyed the camaraderie as well as fitness.
Walking football referee and fan Gary Bartlett, from Abercannon, said it was “absolutely fantastic” to see both teams reach the final.
“A lot of these guys also play walking football, which is a really fun sport for them, so it's great to see them playing at this level and having fun.”
“They've done a great job. I hope I'll still be doing it when I'm 75!”
“It's all about staying active and healthy, but I think even more than that, it's the camaraderie of the players that are involved with the team. You can't take that away from them.”
“It doesn't matter how good or bad you are, they're having fun and that's the most important thing.”
These 70-year-olds could teach younger players a thing or two about this beautiful game.
Friends and family of the players said the tournament was inspiring.
Steve Davis was disappointed that he was only able to play five minutes of the final due to injury.
Due to the age of the players, there was a risk of injury and several of them were unable to play in the final.
Steve Davis, 78, from Cardiff, fought off the pain of a torn calf muscle but was forced to concede defeat five minutes after coming on to the pitch.
He said: “It's a shame, but I guess when you're 78 these things happen.”
He added that if Wales win “it would mean a lot to the world”.
Emergency services were on standby at the Veterans World Cup
Physiotherapists and paramedics were waiting pitchside, anxiously anticipating a serious injury.
“We've treated a few people and everyone was super eager to get back on scene, whether they were injured or not, which is great,” Medic 1 officer Chloe said.
“The guys are all relatively healthy and they've been practicing and stretching, which is really great, so it's not too bad.”
