Why do Wales fans wear bucket hats at the World Cup?

Wales fans will look the part in the stands (Picture: Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Wales fans are enjoying cheering on their side during the nation’s first World Cup since 1958.

Rob Page’s men face an uphill task if they are to qualify for the knock-out stages of Qatar 2022, with Wales needing to beat England and hope the match between Iran and the USA ends in a draw.

The team will be cheered on by thousands of fans who have made the trip to the Middle East and they are following Welsh footballing tradition by wearing bucket hats during the match.

But why exactly do Wales fans wear bucket hats during games?

Here is everything you need to know.

Why do Wales fans wear bucket hats?

The hat design was originally created by Tim Williams, who owns a small shop in Bala, Gwynedd.

The Welsh support are donning their traditional gear (Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Williams’ shop ‘The Spirit of 58’ was set up in 2010 ‘to bring a bit of colour and fun’ to matches by selling unofficial merchandise.

Williams, who is in Qatar supporting the team, took inspiration for the design from the Manchester music scene in the 1980s and 90s.

Thousands of the red, green and yellow hats were initially sold and the success of the product after Wales qualified for Euro 2016 made Williams quit his job to focus his time on producing the accessory.

The Football Association of Wales opted against making official merchandise for Euro 2016 for fear of encroaching on sales.

Williams told ITV: ‘As a group of lads living in Bala we used to enjoy going to a lot of gigs and that (bucket hats) seemed to be the get-up at the time.

‘I never intended for it to be like this, it was more about having a bit of fun, add a bit of colour to the Wales support and then it’s just grown over the years.’

Before the tournament, a number of large-scale bucket hats were erected around Wales to show support for the team.

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It’s a tradition in Welsh football.