S4C unveils packed World Cup slate

S4C has revealed a slate of content to accompany its coverage of Wales at its first World Cup since 1958.

Every Wales game will be shown by the broadcaster, with documentaries, interview series, current affairs shows and more to complement the football.

This begins with Cewri Cwpan y Byd (World Cup Giants), produced by Docshed on 31 October. It charts the rise of Welsh football over the last two decades, including interviews with players, managers, staff and supporters, including Gareth Bale, Chris Coleman, and Rob Page.

Then, Owain Tudur Jones will interview a series of high-profile sporting guests on S4C, S4C Clic, S4C YouTube and across the @S4Cchwaraeon platforms in Y Gêm gyda… produced by Tinopolis. This will begin with Joe Allen on 3 November, who is followed by Gwennan Harries, Mike Phillips, and more.

Tinopolis will also produce the Wales World Cup squad announcement on 9 November, which will be broadcast live from Tylorstown in the Rhondda in Heno: Tîm Qatar 2022.

13 November sees two World Cup shows, with Docshed produced documentary film Bois 58 looking at the last time Wales was at the World Cup, and Afanti Media producing Yma o Hyd - which will the story behind the song adopted as the team’s unofficial anthem.

Then on the eve of Qatar 2022, Wal Goch: Cwpan y Byd 2022 (Red Wall: 2022 World Cup - Afanti Media), a light entertainment show hosted by Yws Gwynedd and Mari Lovgreen and featuring live music and guests will debut. It will go on to air every Friday during the competition.

On 20 November, before Wales’ first match, against the USA on 21 November, S4C will hold a celebration of the Welsh language, culture and unique Welsh talent in a special concert in New York, Cyngerdd Cymru i’r Byd (Wales to the World Concert – Orchard). It will be held at Sony Hall, Time Square, twinned with Wrexham’s Wal Goch Festival and include the likes of Ioan Gruffudd, Mathew Rhys, Michael Sheen, and more. 

This will be followed by Y Tîm Tu Ôl i’r Tîm (The Team Behind the Team - Rondo Media), which goes behind the scenes at the FA of Wales to look at how they have supported the players and management.

During the World Cup, Pa Fath o Bobl (What Kind of People - Boom Cymru) will look at the fans who follow Wales, Stwnsh (Boom Cymru) will take a fun look at the World Cup for children, and Urdd’s Jambori World Cup Singalong (Boom Cymru) will see the nation’s school children showcasing their singing talents.

Meanwhile, on 7 December, current affairs series Y Byd ar Bedwar: Cost Cwpan y Byd Qatar (ITV Cymru) will take a journalistic look at the host country of the 2022 FIFA World Cup - from the poor conditions reportedly experienced by the stadium’s construction workers, to concerns about the country’s human rights record.

S4C will also release an official World Cup song in November, and a series of special items called Dechrau’r Daith (Beginning of the Journey) will visit the homes of Wales stars to see where their journeys to become international footballers began.

Finally, tS4C Chwaraeon Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts will bring daily content and updates from Qatar during the FIFA World Cup, as well as online preview shows with Sioned Dafydd the evening before each Wales game.

Llinos Griffin-Williams, S4C chief content officer, said: “As our national team proudly takes its place in the world’s biggest football competition, S4C will reflect the wealth and diversity of Welsh culture with a magnificent slate of content. From New York to Wrexham, the Rhondda to Doha, our programming will take our viewers on an international journey through our history and heritage, with plenty of celebration and entertainment along the way.

“Of course, football will be at the heart of our schedule and we will transport our viewers to the Red Wall in Qatar with our live matches and varied selection of cross-platform content.

“We are very grateful to the Football Association of Wales for their close collaboration, which has enabled us to celebrate the importance of the beautiful game to our nation with our programming.

“Most importantly of all, I would like to wish the Wales team the best of luck on behalf of everyone from S4C. We are so proud of you all and we will be behind you all the way.”