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Viral podcast comment sparks national conversation
A Surrey-based TikTok creator has faced intense criticism after suggesting Wales should not compete as a separate nation in the 2026 World Cup, arguing it lies "only two-and-a-half hours from London."
The controversy
Tennessee Thresher, who has 1.4 million followers on TikTok, made the remarks during a podcast episode, proposing that the expanded 48-team World Cup should merge England and Wales to streamline the tournament. She later admitted she had initially viewed Wales as part of England, stating, "I think someone has to have a long hard think about Wales not being part of England."
The clip rapidly circulated on social media, accompanied by images of Welsh landscapes and historical context, including a video from Traitors star Elen Wyn emphasizing the importance of Welsh language preservation.
Public reaction and historical context
Welsh social media users swiftly condemned the comments, framing them as dismissive of Wales' distinct national identity. Elen Wyn, from Anglesey, responded by urging greater awareness of Welsh history and culture, saying, "Against so many odds of being suppressed and discouraged, we still survived that."
Wyn emphasized that the controversy transcended the World Cup, highlighting the resilience of Welsh identity despite centuries of suppression. She added, "What I love most about Wales is that anytime something like this happens, we all come together."
"The whole intention of colonisation was to erase Welsh identity. This further eradicates it... it discredits a whole nation."
Lili Hope, 22, from Newport
Language and cultural suppression
Lili Hope, a 22-year-old from Newport, described Thresher's remarks as "harmful and hurtful," linking them to historical efforts to erase Welsh identity. She recounted how her mother was punished in the 1970s for speaking Welsh in school under the Welsh Not system-a 19th-century practice where children were forced to wear a wooden stick if caught speaking their native language, with punishments for those holding it by week's end.
The Welsh language, which predates English and has roots stretching back 4,000 years, saw a sharp decline during the Victorian era as English was prioritized in education and governance. While 90% of the population spoke Welsh in the 16th century, only 27.2% did as of June this year, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Wales' political and cultural identity
Wales' relationship with England has been shaped by centuries of colonization, beginning with the Norman invasion in 1066 and formalized under Henry VIII's Act of Union in 1536. Despite its integration into the United Kingdom in 1707, Wales maintained a distinct cultural and linguistic identity.
The Welsh Language Act of 1993 marked a turning point, granting Welsh equal status with English in public life. However, the legacy of suppression persists, with many Welsh people, like Lili Hope, unable to speak the language due to historical policies.
A nation rallies
Cai Rhys, a 26-year-old from Cardiff, described the backlash as a unifying moment for Wales. His response video, which has garnered 700,000 views, criticized the widespread lack of awareness about Welsh identity, noting, "We have all experienced it-you're on holiday and asked, 'Where are you from? Wales? Is that England?'"
Rhys called Thresher's apology a "win," as it prompted her to educate herself further about Wales. He added, "We're seeing history lessons on Welsh TikTok, which is beautiful to see."
"I've never had this much passion. It's so powerful."
Cai Rhys, 26, from Cardiff
Thresher's response
Thresher has since apologized, stating she had "educated herself on Welsh history." However, she has not responded to further requests for comment.
