The Wales national women's football team (Welsh: Tîm pêl-droed merched cenedlaethol Cymru) represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales (FAW), the governing body for football in Wales and the third-oldest national football association in the world, founded in 1876.
 | |||
| Nickname(s) | The Dragons (Welsh: Y Dreigiau) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Association | Football Association of Wales (FAW) | ||
| Confederation | UEFA (Europe) | ||
| Head coach | Rhian Wilkinson | ||
| Captain | Angharad James | ||
| Most caps | Jess Fishlock (158) | ||
| Top scorer | Jess Fishlock (46) | ||
| FIFA code | WAL | ||
| |||
| FIFA ranking | |||
| Current | 30  1 (13 December 2024)[1] | ||
| Highest | 29[2] (June–December 2018; August 2023; August 2024) | ||
| Lowest | 57[2] (June 2005; May 2006) | ||
| First international | |||
 Wales 2–3 Republic of Ireland  (Llanelli, Wales; 13 May 1973) | |||
| Biggest win | |||
Wales 15–0 Azerbaijan  (Newtown, Powys, Wales; 21 August 2010) | |||
| Biggest defeat | |||
 Germany 12–0 Wales (Bielefeld, Germany, 31 March 1994) Wales 0–12 Germany (Swansea, Wales, 5 May 1994) | |||
| World Cup | |||
| Appearances | 0 | ||
| European Championship | |||
| Appearances | 1 (first in 2025) | ||
| Website | www | ||
Wales qualified for their first major championship, UEFA Women's Euro 2025, in December 2024.[3] They have never qualified for the FIFA Women's World Cup. The closest they have come was falling to Switzerland in the UEFA play-offs final for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.[4]
As a country of the United Kingdom, Wales is not a member of the International Olympic Committee and therefore the national team does not compete in the Olympic Games.
History
editThe Wales Women's National Team was established in 1973.[5] Their debut fixture was a match against Ireland at Stebonheath Park in Llanelli. A crowd of 3,500 watched them lose 3 - 2.
For 20 years the team was organised independently of the FAW. In 1993, players Laura McAllister, Michelle Adams and Karen Jones, succeeded in persuading the FAW secretary Alun Evans that the FAW should take over the running of the women's national team.[6]
In 2003, the FAW withdrew the team from qualifying games for UEFA Women's Euro 2005 citing the cost of travelling to Belarus, Kazakhstan, Estonia and Israel[6] and cutbacks being needed to support Mark Hughes' men's team. The move was criticised by manager Sian Williams and player Jayne Ludlow and Wales were fined 50,000 Swss Francs by UEFA.
In 2010, Ludlow withdrew from the squad entirely[7] returning only in 2012 with the appointment of Jarmo Matikainen as the first ever full time manager of the women's side.
In 2018, Wales finished second in their World Cup qualifying group for the first time ever, missing out on a playoff spot due to second place team rankings. In 2020 they missed out on a playoff spot by away goals.
Under manager Gemma Grainger, Wales reached the playoffs for qualification to 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. They beat Bosnia, but lost in extra time against Switzerland in Zurich.
On December 3, 2024, the team made history after beating the Republic of Ireland 2-1 qualifying for a first time ever to major women's tournament.[8]
Team image
editMedia coverage
editLive television broadcast rights are held by BBC Cymru Wales (Welsh & English language commentary) until 2027.
Colours and logo
editThe primary kit has long been all-red. The crest of the Football Association of Wales features a rampant Welsh Dragon on a white shield. From 1920, the shield was surrounded by a red border, and the letters 'FAW' were added in 1926. The badge was redesigned in 1951, adding a green border with 11 daffodils, as well as the Welsh-language motto Gorau Chwarae Cyd Chwarae ("The best play is team play"). The motto was briefly removed in 1984, but the badge stayed largely the same until 2010, when the shield was changed to feature rounded sides and the motto banner was changed from white to red and green. The dragon also changed from rampant to rampant regardant. The motto was removed again in 2019, following another major redesign of the badge, which saw the top of the shield flattened and the sides changed not to curve outwards; the green border was also thinned and the daffodils removed.[9]
Kit supplier
edit| Kit provider | Period |
|---|---|
| Umbro | 1996 |
| Lotto | 1996–2000 |
| Kappa | 2000–2008 |
| Champion | 2008–2010 |
| Umbro | 2010–2013 |
| Adidas | 2013– |
Results and fixtures
edit- The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
- Legend
Win Draw Lose Fixture
2024
edit| 27 February Friendly | Republic of Ireland | 0–2 | Wales | Dublin |
| 19:30 GMT | Report | Stadium: Tallaght Stadium Attendance: 8,218 Referee: Frida Mia Klarlund (Denmark) |
| 5 April Euro 2025 qualifying | Wales | 4–0 |  Croatia | Wrexham |
| 19:15 BST | Report | Stadium: Racecourse Ground Attendance: 4,117 Referee: Zuzana Valentová (Slovakia) |
| 9 April Euro 2025 qualifying | Kosovo  | 0–6 | Wales | Podujevë |
| 14:00 CEST | Report | Stadium: Zahir Pajaziti Stadium Attendance: 200 Referee: Galiya Echeva (Bulgaria) |
| 31 May Euro 2025 qualifying | Wales | 1–1 |  Ukraine | Llanelli |
| 19:15 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 4,046 Referee: Shona Shukrula (Netherlands) |
| 4 June Euro 2025 qualifying | Ukraine | 2–2 | Wales | Grodzisk Wielkopolski |
| 20:00 CEST | Report | Stadium: Stadion Respect Energy Attendance: 88 Referee: Caroline Lanssens (Belgium) |
| 12 July Euro 2025 qualifying | Croatia | 0–3 | Wales | Karlovac |
| 20:15 CEST | Report | Stadium: Stadion Branko Čavlović-Čavlek Referee: Marta Huerta De Aza (Spain) |
| 16 July Euro 2025 qualifying | Wales | 2–0 | Kosovo | Llanelli |
| 18:00 BST | Report | Stadium: Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 4,199 Referee: Deborah Anex (Switzerland) |
| 25 October UEFA Women's Euro 2025 qualifying play-offs | Slovakia  | 2–1 | Wales | Poprad |
| 17:30 CEST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: NTC Poprad Attendance: 2,013 Referee: Stéphanie Frappart (France) |
| 29 October UEFA Women's Euro 2025 qualifying play-offs | Wales | 2–0 (a.e.t.) (3–2 agg.) | Slovakia | Cardiff |
| 19:15 GMT | Report | Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium Attendance: 10,504 Referee: Ewa Augustyn (Poland) |
| 29 November UEFA Women's Euro 2025 qualifying play-offs | Wales | 1–1 | Republic of Ireland | Cardiff |
| 19:15 GMT |
|
Report | Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium Attendance: 16,845 Referee: Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi (Italy) |
| 3 December UEFA Women's Euro 2025 qualifying play-offs | Republic of Ireland | 1–2 (2–3 agg.) | Wales | Dublin |
| 19:30 GMT |
|
Report | Stadium: Aviva Stadium Attendance: 25,832 Referee: Marta Huerta De Aza (Spain) |
2025
edit| 21 February 2025 Nations League | Italy  | v | Wales |
| 25 February 2025 Nations League | Wales | v |  Sweden |
| 4 April 2025 Nations League | Wales | v |  Denmark |
| 8 April 2025 Nations League | Sweden | v | Wales |
| 30 May 2025 Nations League | Denmark | v | Wales |
| 3 June 2025 Nations League | Wales | v | Italy |
| 5 July Euro 2025 group stage | Wales | v |  Netherlands | Lucerne |
| 18:00 CEST | Stadium: Swissporarena |
| 9 July Euro 2025 group stage | France  | v | Wales | St. Gallen |
| 21:00 CEST | Stadium: Kybunpark |
| 13 July Euro 2025 group stage | England  | v | Wales | St. Gallen |
| 21:00 CEST | Stadium: Kybunpark |
Coaching staff
editCurrent coaching staff
edit- As of 26 February 2024.
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach |  Rhian Wilkinson
|
| Assistant coach | John Grey
|
| Goalkeeping coach | Jen Herst
|
| Head of physical performance | Luke Taylor
|
Manager history
edit- Sylvia Gore (1979–1989)[10]
- Sue Lopez (1995–1996)
- Roy Thomas (1996–2000)[11][12]
- Sian Williams (2000–2003)
- Andy Beattie (2003–2007)
- Adrian Tucker (2007–2010)[13]
Jarmo Matikainen (2010–2014)[14][15]- Jayne Ludlow (2014–2021)[16][17]
- Gemma Grainger (2021–2024)[18]
- Rhian Wilkinson (2024–)[19]
Players
editCurrent squad
editThe following players were called up for the UEFA Euro 2025 qualifying play off final matches against the Republic of Ireland to be played as a home and away leg on 29 November 2024 and 3 December 2024, respectively.[20]
- All caps and goals as of 3 December 2024, after the second leg match against the Republic of Ireland, played at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin.
Recent call-ups
edit- The following players have been called up for a Wales squad in the last 12 months.
- This information may be incomplete or incorrect.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Soffia Kelly | 6 March 2007 | 0 | 0 | Aston Villa
|
v. Kosovo, 9 April 2024
|
| GK | Poppy Soper | 4 May 2002 | 0 | 0 | Blackburn Rovers
|
v. Kosovo, 9 April 2024
|
| DF | Sophie Ingle | 2 September 1991 | 141 | 6 | Chelsea
|
v. Kosovo, 16 July 2024
|
| DF | Amy Richardson | 5 January 2006 | 0 | 0 |  Celtic
|
v. Croatia, 12 July 2024PRE
|
| DF | Cadi Rodgers | 29 August 2007 | 0 | 0 | Chelsea
|
v. Croatia, 12 July 2024PRE
|
| MF | Ania Denham | 6 March 2007 | 0 | 0 | Wolverhampton Wanderers
|
v. Croatia, 5 April 2024
|
| MF | Elena Cole | 8 April 2007 | 0 | 0 | Gwalia United
|
v. Croatia, 5 April 2024PRE
|
| MF | Anna Filbey | 11 October 1999 | 7 | 0 | Watford
|
v. Republic of Ireland, 29 November 2024PRE
|
| MF | Ellen Jones | 10 January 2002 | 0 | 0 | Sunderland
|
v. Republic of Ireland, 29 November 2024PRE
|
| MF | Charlotte Lee | 5 January 2006 | 0 | 0 | Aston Villa
|
v. Slovakia, 25 October 2024PRE
|
| FW | Olivia Francis | 20 February 2006 | 0 | 0 | Liverpool Feds (loan)
|
v. Ukraine, 4 June 2024
|
| FW | Elise Hughes | 15 April 2001 | 26 | 3 | Crystal Palace
|
v. Kosovo, 9 April 2024
|
| FW | Tegan McGowan | 17 June 2004 | 0 | 0 | Birmingham City
|
v. Republic of Ireland, 27 February 2024
|
| FW | Tianna Teisar | 24 September 2005 | 0 | 0 | Bristol City
|
v. Republic of Ireland, 29 November 2024PRE
|
| ||||||
Captains
edit- Jayne Ludlow (−2012)
- Jess Fishlock (2012–2015)[21]
- Sophie Ingle (2015–2024)
- Jess Fishlock (2024)
- Hayley Ladd (2024)
- Ceri Holland (2024)
- Angharad James (2024–)
Records
edit- *Active players in bold, statistics correct as of 4 June 2024.
Most capped playersedit
Top goalscorersedit
|
In April 2017, Jess Fishlock became the first player to earn 100 caps for the Wales national football team.[23]
In April 2024, Jess Fishlock became the first player to earn 150 caps for the Wales national football team.[24]
Competitive record
editFIFA Women's World Cup
edit| FIFA World Cup record | Qualification record | FIFA World Cup qualification play-offs record | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | ||
 1991
|
Did not enter | UEFA EURO 1991 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1995
|
Did not qualify | UEFA EURO 1995 | ||||||||||||||||||||
 1999
|
6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 21 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2003
|
6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2007
|
6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 17 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2011
|
8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 23 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2015
|
10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 18 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2019
|
8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
  2023
|
10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 22 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||
 2027
|
To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 0/10 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 54 | 24 | 10 | 20 | 96 | 70 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||
- *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
UEFA Women's Championship
edit| UEFA Women's Championship record | Qualifying record | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Result | P | W | D* | L | GF | GA | P | W | D* | L | GF | GA | P/R | Rnk | |
 1984 |
Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||
| 1987
| ||||||||||||||||
| 1989
| ||||||||||||||||
| 1991
| ||||||||||||||||
| 1993
| ||||||||||||||||
| 1995 |
Did not qualify | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 36 | – | ||||||||
| 1997
|
8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 15 | ||||||||||
| 2001
|
6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 16 | ||||||||||
| 2005 |
Withdrew | Withdrew | ||||||||||||||
| 2009 |
Did not qualify | 11 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 11 | 21 | – | ||||||||
| 2013
|
8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 14 | ||||||||||
| 2017
|
8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 11 | ||||||||||
| 2022
|
8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 4 | ||||||||||
 2025 |
Qualified | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 24 | 7 |  [a] |
20th | |||||||
| Total | 1/14 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 65 | 21 | 11 | 33 | 93 | 124 | 20th | ||
- *Draws include knockout matches decided by penalty kicks.
European Competition for Women's Football (Unofficial)
editUEFA Women's Nations League
edit| UEFA Women's Nations League record | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| League phase | Finals | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Season | Lg | Grp | Pos | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | P/R | Rnk | Year | Pos | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | ||
| 2023–24 | A | 3 | 4th | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 15 |  |
16th |  2024
|
Did not qualify | ||||||||
| 2025 | A | 4 | To be determined |  2025
|
To be determined | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 23 | 9 | 16th | Total | |||||||||||||
|
|
Promoted at end of season |
|---|---|
|
No movement at end of season |
|
|
Relegated at end of season |
| * | Participated in promotion/relegation play-offs |
Algarve Cup
editThe Algarve Cup is a global invitational tournament for national teams in women's soccer hosted by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF). Held annually in the Algarve region of Portugal since 1994, it is one of the most prestigious women's football events, alongside the Women's World Cup and Women's Olympic Football.
 Algarve Cup record
| ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Result | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | GF | GA | |
| 1994 to 2001 |
did not enter | |||||||
| 2002 | 12th | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 9 | |
| 2003 | 12th | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | |
| 2004 | 10th | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 8 | |
| 2005 to 2008 |
did not enter | |||||||
| 2009 | 12th | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 6 | |
| 2010 | did not enter | |||||||
| 2011 | 8th | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 7 | |
| 2012 | 8th | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
| 2013 | 12th | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
| 2014 to 2022 |
did not enter | |||||||
| Total | 8/26 | 28 | 9 | 5 | 14 | 31 | 47 | |
Other tournaments
edit| Year | Result | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Pinatar Cup | Runner-up | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ From Euro 2025 onwards a new qualifying format was introduced, linked to the Women's Nations League where teams are divided into leagues with promotion/relegation between the leagues at the end of each cycle.
References
edit- ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 13 December 2024. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
- ^ a b "Wales". FIFA. Archived from the original on October 20, 2007. Retrieved 2014-06-21.
- ^ "Euro 2025 play-off: Wales beat Republic of Ireland to reach first major women's tournament". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 2024-12-03. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- ^ "Women's World Cup play-off: Wales hearts broken by extra-time Switzerland winner". BBC. 11 October 2022. Archived from the original on 29 May 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
- ^ Harries, Owain (2024-02-23). "Republic of Ireland v Cymru - A fixture that shaped a brighter women's future". FAW. Retrieved 2024-07-20.
- ^ a b WalesOnline (2003-05-07). "UEFA take action... by fining Wales!". Wales Online. Archived from the original on 2024-07-20. Retrieved 2024-07-20.
- ^ "Arsenal's Jayne Ludlow calls time on Wales career". BBC Sport. 2012-10-18. Archived from the original on 2024-07-20. Retrieved 2024-07-20.
- ^ Downey, Sophie (2024-12-03). "Wales weather Ireland storm to reach Euro 2025 and write names in history". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
- ^ "A new identity for football in Wales". faw.cymru. Football Association of Wales. 7 August 2019. Archived from the original on 30 April 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
- ^ "'For Them' – Where 200 games began for Cymru women". Football Association of Wales. 20 October 2021. Archived from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ "North Wales women's football greats: No 3 – Ceryl Tindall-Jones". February 8, 2021.
- ^ "Internationale wedstrijden – KBVB". static.belgianfootball.be. Archived from the original on 2021-04-19. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
- ^ "Keeper coach Tucker joins Swans". BBC Sport. 15 July 2009. Archived from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
- ^ Leighton, Tony (4 October 2010). "New Wales coach Jarmo Matikainen sets sights on Euro 2013 qualification". The Guardian.
- ^ "Wales Women lose manager Jarmo Matikainen". BBC Sport. 17 January 2014. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
- ^ "National Women's Teams Manager – Jayne Ludow". Football Association of Wales. 2 October 2014.
- ^ "Jayne Ludlow: Wales manager leaves role". BBC Sport. 18 January 2021. Archived from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
- ^ "Gemma Grainger: Wales appoint new manager to succeed Jayne Ludlow". BBC Sport. 19 March 2021. Archived from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
- ^ "Rhian Wilkinson: Former Canada defender named Wales head coach". BBC Sport. 26 February 2024. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ "Cymru squad announced for UEFA Women's EURO play-off final". 20 November 2024.
- ^ Pitman, Mark (20 February 2015). "Ingle ready to lead Wales". UEFA. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
- ^ "LOREN DYKES RETIRES FROM PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL". FA Wales. 8 February 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
- ^ Mitchelmore, Ian (5 April 2017). "Jess Fishlock becomes first player to hit 100-cap milestone as Wales Women beat Northern Ireland at Ystrad Mynach". WalesOnline. Archived from the original on 6 April 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
- ^ BBC, Sport (8 April 2024). "Euro 2025 qualifying: Jess Fishlock to captain Wales in Kosovo". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 21 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ Erik Garvin. "Inofficial European Women Championship 1979". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2022-12-06. Retrieved 2009-08-27.
