Euro 2016: Wales to play in Confederations Cup if they secure final berth against Germany

Victory over Portugal on Wednesday, coupled with a Germany win 24 hours later, would take Chris Coleman's side to Russia

Chris Coleman's side are close to a place in next summer's Confederations Cup (Getty)

Wales will secure qualification for the prestigious Confederations Cup in Russia next summer if they defeat Portugal in the Euro 2016 semi-final and face Germany in next Sunday’s final at Stade de France.

Chris Coleman’s team, who are expected to climb to sixth in the Fifa world rankings following their success in France, are set to become the smallest nation ever to play in a major tournament semi-final when they meet Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in Lyon on Wednesday.

And they are also potentially just ninety minutes away from playing in the Confederations Cup if they defeat Portugal and Germany then eliminate France in Thursday’s second semi-final in Marseille.

Fifa stages the Confederations Cup – a tournament involving the World Cup winners and champions of each continental federation – 12 months before every World Cup as a preparatory competition to fine-tune organisational issues including match venues and ticket distribution in the World Cup host nation.

With Germany already securing qualification as world champions following their World Cup triumph in Brazil two years ago, Uefa’s representatives at Russia 2017 will be the winners of Euro 2016 - or the runners-up, if Germany complete a World Cup-European Championship double.

Next year’s Confederations Cup takes place between 17 June and 2 July with fixtures set to be played in St Petersburg, Moscow, Sochi and Kazan.

Chile, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and hosts Russia have already confirmed their participation alongside the Germans and Wales will join those nations, along with the African and Asian champions, if they book a final against Germany later this week.

Brazil won the most recent Confederations Cup, defeating Spain in the final in Rio de Janeiro in June 2013.