# Wales women's national football team

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 (149 years ago) (1876).
Wales qualified for their first major championship, UEFA Women's Euro 2025, in December 2024. 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.
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

The Wales Women's National Team was established in 1973. 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.
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 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 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.

## Team image
### Media coverage

Live television broadcast rights are held by BBC Cymru Wales (Welsh & English language commentary) until 2027.

### Colours and logo

The 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.

### Kit supplier

| Kit provider | Period |
| Umbro | 1996 |
| Lotto | 1996–2000 |
| Kappa | 2000–2008 |
| Champion | 2008–2010 |
| Umbro | 2010–2013 |
| Adidas | 2013– |

## Results and fixtures

* 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

### 2025
## Coaching staff
### Current coaching staff

    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

* Sylvia Gore (1979–1989)
* Lyn Jones (1992-1995)
* Sue Lopez (1995–1996)
* Roy Thomas (1996–2000)
* Sian Williams (2000–2003)
* Andy Beattie (2003–2007)
* Adrian Tucker (2007–2010)
* Jarmo Matikainen (2010–2014)
* Jayne Ludlow (2014–2021)
* Gemma Grainger (2021–2024)
* Rhian Wilkinson (2024–)

## Players
### Current squad

The following players were called up for Matchdays 1 and 2 of the 2025 Nations League to be played on Friday, 21 February 2025 and Tuesday, 25 February 2025 in the Stadio Brianteo, Monza and The Racecourse Ground, Wrexham respectively against Italy and Sweden
* All caps and goals as of 26 February 2025, after Matchday 2 of the 2025 Nations League against Sweden, played at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham.
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
| 1 | 1GK | Laura O'Sullivan-Jones | (1991-08-23) 23 August 1991 (age 33) | 59 | 0 | Gwalia United |
| 12 | 1GK | Olivia Clark | (2001-08-30) 30 August 2001 (age 23) | 27 | 0 | Leicester City |
| 21 | 1GK | Safia Middleton-Patel | (2004-09-21) 21 September 2004 (age 20) | 2 | 0 | Manchester United |
| 2 | 2DF | Lily Woodham | (2000-09-03) 3 September 2000 (age 24) | 35 | 3 | Crystal Palace (loan) |
| 3 | 2DF | Gemma Evans | (1996-08-01) 1 August 1996 (age 28) | 73 | 1 | Liverpool |
| 4 | 2DF | Mayzee Davies | (2006-08-25) 25 August 2006 (age 18) | 4 | 0 | Manchester City |
| 5 | 2DF | Rhiannon Roberts | (1990-08-30) 30 August 1990 (age 34) | 77 | 2 | Real Betis |
| 14 | 2DF | Hayley Ladd | (1993-10-06) 6 October 1993 (age 31) | 101 | 3 | Everton |
| 17 | 2DF | Lois Joel | (1999-06-02) 2 June 1999 (age 25) | 7 | 0 | Newcastle United |
| 23 | 2DF | Ffion Morgan | (2000-05-11) 11 May 2000 (age 24) | 40 | 2 | Bristol City |
| 6 | 3MF | Josie Green | (1993-04-25) 25 April 1993 (age 31) | 35 | 0 | Crystal Palace |
| 7 | 3MF | Ceri Holland | (1997-12-12) 12 December 1997 (age 27) | 40 | 5 | Liverpool |
| 8 | 3MF | Angharad James (Captain) | (1994-06-01) 1 June 1994 (age 30) | 128 | 6 | Seattle Reign |
| 10 | 3MF | Jess Fishlock | (1987-01-14) 14 January 1987 (age 38) | 160 | 46 | Seattle Reign |
| 16 | 3MF | Charlie Estcourt | (1998-05-27) 27 May 1998 (age 26) | 47 | 3 | DC Power FC |
| 18 | 3MF | Mared Griffiths | (2007-03-03) 3 March 2007 (age 18) | 1 | 0 | Manchester United |
| 20 | 3MF | Carrie Jones | (2003-09-04) 4 September 2003 (age 21) | 33 | 3 | IFK Norrköping |
| 13 | 3MF | Ellen Jones | (2002-01-10) 10 January 2002 (age 23) | 0 | 0 | Sunderland |
| 22 | 3MF | Alice Griffiths | (2001-01-22) 22 January 2001 (age 24) | 13 | 0 | Durham (loan) |
| 9 | 4FW | Kayleigh Barton | (1988-03-22) 22 March 1988 (age 36) | 86 | 22 | Charlton Athletic |
| 11 | 4FW | Hannah Cain | (1999-02-11) 11 February 1999 (age 26) | 12 | 2 | Leicester City |
| 15 | 4FW | Elise Hughes | (2001-04-15) 15 April 2001 (age 23) | 27 | 3 | Crystal Palace |
| 19 | 4FW | Ella Powell | (2000-02-01) 1 February 2000 (age 25) | 11 | 0 | Bristol City |

### Recent call-ups

* 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 | (2007-03-06) 6 March 2007 (age 18) | 0 | 0 | Aston Villa | v. Kosovo, 9 April 2024 |
| GK | Poppy Soper | (2002-05-04) 4 May 2002 (age 22) | 0 | 0 | Blackburn Rovers | v. Kosovo, 9 April 2024 |
| DF | Scarlett Hill | (2007-10-09) 9 October 2007 (age 17) | 0 | 0 | Manchester United | |
| DF | Sophie Ingle | (1991-09-02) 2 September 1991 (age 33) | 141 | 6 | Chelsea | v. Kosovo, 16 July 2024 |
| DF | Esther Morgan | (2002-08-28) 28 August 2002 (age 22) | 9 | 0 | Sheffield United | v. Germany, 5 December 2023$^{PRE}$ |
| DF | Amy Richardson | (2006-01-05) 5 January 2006 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | Partick Thistle (loan) | v. Croatia, 12 July 2024$^{PRE}$ |
| DF | Cadi Rodgers | (2007-08-29) 29 August 2007 (age 17) | 0 | 0 | Chelsea | v. Croatia, 12 July 2024$^{PRE}$ |
| MF | Ania Denham | (2007-03-06) 6 March 2007 (age 18) | 0 | 0 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | v. Croatia, 5 April 2024 |
| MF | Elena Cole | (2007-04-08) 8 April 2007 (age 17) | 0 | 0 | Gwalia United | v. Croatia, 5 April 2024$^{PRE}$ |
| MF | Anna Filbey | (1999-10-11) 11 October 1999 (age 25) | 7 | 0 | Watford | v. Republic of Ireland, 29 November 2024$^{PRE}$ |
| MF | Charlotte Lee | (2006-01-05) 5 January 2006 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | Aston Villa | v. Slovakia, 25 October 2024$^{PRE}$ |
| FW | Olivia Francis | (2006-02-20) 20 February 2006 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | Liverpool Feds (loan) | v. Ukraine, 4 June 2024 |
| FW | Mary McAteer | (2004-01-02) 2 January 2004 (age 21) | 7 | 1 | Sunderland | v. Republic of Ireland, 29 November 2024$^{PRE}$ |
| FW | Tegan McGowan | (2004-06-17) 17 June 2004 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | Birmingham City | v. Republic of Ireland, 27 February 2024 |
| FW | Rachel Rowe | (1992-09-13) 13 September 1992 (age 32) | 72 | 8 | Southampton | v. Republic of Ireland, 29 November 2024 |
| FW | Tianna Teisar | (2005-09-24) 24 September 2005 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | Bristol City | v. Republic of Ireland, 29 November 2024$^{PRE}$ |
| Notes $^{PRE}$ = Preliminary squad |||||||

### Captains

* Jayne Ludlow (−2012)
* Jess Fishlock (2012–2015)
* Sophie Ingle (2015–2024)
* Jess Fishlock (2024)
* Hayley Ladd (2024/2025)
* Ceri Holland (2024)
* Angharad James (2024–)

## Records

* *Active players in bold, statistics correct as of 4 June 2024.
Most capped players
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2024)
Player
Year(s)
Caps
1Jess Fishlock2006–160
2Sophie Ingle2009–141
3Angharad James2011–128
4Loren Dykes2007–2021105
5Helen Ward2008–2023105
6Natasha Harding2008–2022103
7Hayley Ladd2008-101 :

### Top goalscorers

| # | Player | Year(s) | Goals | Caps |
| 1 | Jess Fishlock | 2006– | 46 | 159 |
| 2 | Helen Ward | 2008–2023 | 44 | 105 |
| 3 | Natasha Harding | 2008–2022 | 26 | 103 |
In April 2017, Jess Fishlock became the first player to earn 100 caps for the Wales national football team.
In April 2024, Jess Fishlock became the first player to earn 150 caps for the Wales national football team.

## Competitive record
### FIFA Women's World Cup

| FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | FIFA World Cup qualification play-offs record | FIFA World Cup qualification play-offs record | FIFA World Cup qualification play-offs record | FIFA World Cup qualification play-offs record | FIFA World Cup qualification play-offs 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 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | UEFA EURO 1991 | UEFA EURO 1991 | UEFA EURO 1991 | UEFA EURO 1991 | UEFA EURO 1991 | UEFA EURO 1991 | | | | | |
| 1995 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | UEFA EURO 1995 | UEFA EURO 1995 | UEFA EURO 1995 | UEFA EURO 1995 | UEFA EURO 1995 | UEFA EURO 1995 | | | | | |
| 1999 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 21 |
| 2003 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 13 |
| 2007 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 17 | 2 |
| 2011 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 23 | 16 |
| 2015 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 18 | 9 |
| 2019 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 4 |
| 2023 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 22 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 2027 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | 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

| UEFA Women's Championship record | UEFA Women's Championship record | UEFA Women's Championship record | UEFA Women's Championship record | UEFA Women's Championship record | UEFA Women's Championship record | UEFA Women's Championship record | UEFA Women's Championship record | Qualifying record | Qualifying record | Qualifying record | Qualifying record | Qualifying record | Qualifying record | Qualifying 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 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1987 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1989 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1991 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1993 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1995 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 36 | – | – |
| 1997 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 15 | – | – |
| 2001 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 16 | – | – |
| 2005 | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew |
| 2009 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 11 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 11 | 21 | – | – |
| 2013 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 14 | – | – |
| 2017 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 11 | – | – |
| 2022 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 4 | – | – |
| 2025 | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 24 | 7 | | 20th |
| Total | 1/14 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 65 | 21 | 11 | 33 | 93 | 124 | 20th | 20th |
    *Draws include knockout matches decided by penalty kicks.

#### European Competition for Women's Football (Unofficial)

1979 : Group Stage

### UEFA Women's Nations League

UEFA Women's Nations League record :
| League phase | League phase | League phase | League phase | League phase | League phase | League phase | League phase | League phase | League phase | League phase | League phase | Finals | Finals | Finals | Finals | Finals | Finals | Finals | Finals | 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 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2025 | A | 4 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | 2025 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| Total | Total | Total | Total | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 23 | 9 | 16th | 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

The 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 | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | 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 | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter |
| 2009 | 12th | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 6 |
| 2010 | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | 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 | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter |
| Total | 8/26 | 28 | 9 | 5 | 14 | 31 | 47 |

### Other tournaments

| Year | Result | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | GF | GA |
| 2023 Pinatar Cup | Runner-up | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 |