Wales women's national football team

Wales
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)The Dragons (Welsh: Y Dreigiau)
AssociationFootball Association of Wales (FAW)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachRhian Wilkinson
CaptainAngharad James
Most capsJess Fishlock (164)
Top scorerJess Fishlock (48)
FIFA codeWAL
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 32 Decrease 2 (7 August 2025)[1]
Highest29[2] (June–December 2018; August 2023; August 2024)
Lowest57[2] (June 2005; May 2006)
First international
  2–3 Republic of Ireland 
(Llanelli, Wales; 13 May 1973)
Biggest win
  15–0 Azerbaijan 
(Newtown, Powys, Wales; 21 August 2010)
Biggest defeat
 Germany 12–0  
(Bielefeld, Germany, 31 March 1994)
  0–12 Germany 
(Swansea, Wales, 5 May 1994)
World Cup
Appearances1 (first in 2035)
European Championship
Appearances1 (first in 2025)
Best resultGroup stage (2025)
Websitewww.faw.cymru/en/

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 (1876).

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] However, they are set to take part in a World Cup for the first time in 2035 when they automatically qualified as co-host with other three countries in the United Kingdom.

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.[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. John Grey was temporarily placed in charge for one match in February 2024 before Rhian Wilkinson took over the reins for the Euro 2025 qualifying which began in April 2024.

On 3 December 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

Media coverage

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

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.[9]

Kit supplier

Kit provider Period
Umbro 1996
Lotto 1996–2000
Kappa 2000–2008
Champion 2008–2010
Umbro 2010–2013
Adidas 2013–2025

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

2024

12 July Euro 2025 qualifying Croatia  0–3   Karlovac
20:15 CEST Report
  • Fishlock 14'
  • Ingle 65'
  • Green 89' (pen.)
Stadium: Stadion Branko Čavlović-Čavlek
Referee: Marta Huerta De Aza (Spain)
16 July Euro 2025 qualifying   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   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   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)
3 December UEFA Women's Euro 2025 qualifying play-offs Republic of Ireland  1–2
(2–3 agg.)
  Dublin
19:30 GMT
Report
Stadium: Aviva Stadium
Attendance: 25,832
Referee: Marta Huerta De Aza (Spain)

2025

21 February 2025 Nations League Italy  1–0   Monza
18:15 CET Report Stadium: Stadio Brianteo
Attendance: 4,219
Referee: Katalin Kulcsár (Hungary)
25 February 2025 Nations League   1–1  Sweden Wrexham
19:15 GMT
Report Stadium: Racecourse Ground
Attendance: 6,077
Referee: Désirée Grundbacher (Switzerland)
4 April 2025 Nations League   1–2  Denmark Cardiff
19:15 GMT
Report Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium
Attendance: 6,779
Referee: Michalina Diakow (Poland)
8 April 2025 Nations League Sweden  1–1   Gothenburg
19:00 CEST Report
Stadium: Gamla Ullevi
Attendance: 8,759
Referee: Olatz Rivera Olmedo (Spain)
30 May 2025 Nations League Denmark  1–0   Odense
19:15 CEST
Report Stadium: Odense Stadion
Attendance: 3,442
Referee: Catarina Campos (Portugal)
3 June 2025 Nations League   1–4  Italy Swansea
18:30 BST Report
Stadium: Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 5,962
Referee: Eleni Antoniou (Greece)
5 July Euro 2025 group stage   0–3  Netherlands Lucerne
18:00 CEST Report
Stadium: Swissporarena
Attendance: 14,147
Referee: Frida Klarlund (Denmark)
9 July Euro 2025 group stage France  4–1   St. Gallen
21:00 CEST
Report Stadium: Kybunpark
Attendance: 15,886
Referee: Désirée Grundbacher (Switzerland)
13 July Euro 2025 group stage England  6–1   St. Gallen
21:00 CEST
Report
Stadium: Kybunpark
Attendance: 15,953
Referee: Frida Klarlund (Denmark)
25 October Friendly   v  Australia Cardiff
14:00 BST Source Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff

As of 26 February 2024.
Position Name
Head coach Canada Rhian Wilkinson
Assistant coach Wales Jon Grey
Goalkeeping coach England Jen Herst
Head of physical performance England Luke Taylor

Manager history

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 matches from 2 July to 27 July 2025. [21] Poppy Soper withdrew from the squad due to injury on 12 July and was replaced with Soffia Kelly.[22]

Caps and goals correct as of 13 July 2025, after the match against England.
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Olivia Clark (2001-08-30) 30 August 2001 32 0 England Leicester City
12 1GK Soffia Kelly (2007-03-06) 6 March 2007 0 0 England Aston Villa
21 1GK Safia Middleton-Patel (2004-09-21) 21 September 2004 5 0 England Manchester United

2 2DF Lily Woodham (2000-09-03) 3 September 2000 42 3 England Liverpool
3 2DF Gemma Evans (1996-08-01) 1 August 1996 80 1 England Liverpool
5 2DF Rhiannon Roberts (1990-08-30) 30 August 1990 82 2 England Sunderland
17 2DF Lois Joel (1999-06-02) 2 June 1999 10 0 England Newcastle United
18 2DF Esther Morgan (2002-08-28) 28 August 2002 14 0 Unattached
19 2DF Ella Powell (2000-02-01) 1 February 2000 15 0 England Bristol City

4 3MF Sophie Ingle (1991-09-02) 2 September 1991 142 6 England Bristol City
6 3MF Josie Green (1993-04-25) 25 April 1993 42 0 England Crystal Palace
7 3MF Ceri Holland (1997-12-12) 12 December 1997 46 7 England Liverpool
8 3MF Angharad James (captain) (1994-06-01) 1 June 1994 135 6 United States Seattle Reign
10 3MF Jess Fishlock (1987-01-14) 14 January 1987 165 48 United States Seattle Reign
14 3MF Hayley Ladd (1993-10-06) 6 October 1993 107 3 England Everton
16 3MF Charlie Estcourt (1998-05-27) 27 May 1998 48 3 United States DC Power FC
20 3MF Carrie Jones (2003-09-04) 4 September 2003 40 3 Sweden IFK Norrköping
22 3MF Alice Griffiths (2001-01-22) 22 January 2001 16 0 Scotland Rangers

9 4FW Kayleigh Barton RET (1988-03-22) 22 March 1988 89 22 England Saltdean United
11 4FW Hannah Cain (1999-02-11) 11 February 1999 19 4 England Leicester City
13 4FW Rachel Rowe (1992-09-13) 13 September 1992 79 8 England Southampton
15 4FW Elise Hughes (2001-04-15) 15 April 2001 32 3 England Crystal Palace
23 4FW Ffion Morgan (2000-05-11) 11 May 2000 46 2 England West Ham United

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the squad within the past 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Poppy Soper INJ (2002-05-04) 4 May 2002 0 0 England Blackburn Rovers v.  France, 9 July 2025
GK Laura O'Sullivan-Jones INJ (1991-08-23) 23 August 1991 59 0 Wales Gwalia United v.  Denmark, 4 April 2025

DF Mayzee Davies INJ (2006-08-25) 25 August 2006 6 0 England Manchester City v.  Italy, 3 June 2025
DF Scarlett Hill (2007-10-09) 9 October 2007 0 0 England Manchester United v.  Sweden, 25 February 2025
DF Amy Richardson (2006-01-05) 5 January 2006 0 0 Scotland Celtic v.  Italy, 3 June 2025
DF Cadi Rodgers PRE (2007-08-29) 29 August 2007 0 0 England Chelsea v.  Croatia, 12 July 2024

MF Josie Longhurst (2002-02-24) 24 February 2002 0 0 Canada Vancouver Rise v.  Sweden, 8 April 2025
MF Mared Griffiths PRE (2007-03-03) 3 March 2007 1 0 England Manchester United v.  Denmark, 30 May 2025
MF Ellen Jones (2002-01-10) 10 January 2002 0 0 England Sunderland v.  Sweden, 25 February 2025
MF Anna Filbey INJ (1999-10-11) 11 October 1999 7 0 England Watford v.  Republic of Ireland, 29 November 2024
MF Charlotte Lee PRE (2006-01-05) 5 January 2006 0 0 United States MSU Eagles v.  Slovakia, 25 October 2024

FW Tianna Teisar (2005-09-24) 24 September 2005 0 0 England Bristol City v.  Italy, 3 June 2025
FW Mary McAteer (2004-01-02) 2 January 2004 7 1 England Charlton Athletic v.  Sweden, 8 April 2025

Notes
  • INJ = Withdrew due to injury
  • PRE = Preliminary squad / standby
  • RET = Retired from the national team

Captains

Records

  • *Active players in bold, statistics correct as of 13 July 2025.

Top goalscorers

# Player Year(s) Goals Caps
1 Jess Fishlock 2006– 48 165
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.[26]

In April 2024, Jess Fishlock became the first player to earn 150 caps for the Wales national football team.[27]

Competitive record

FIFA Women's World Cup

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
China 1991 Did not enter UEFA EURO 1991
Sweden 1995 Did not qualify UEFA EURO 1995
United States 1999 6 0 2 4 7 21
United States 2003 6 0 1 5 2 13
China 2007 6 4 2 0 17 2
Germany 2011 8 3 0 5 23 16
Canada 2015 10 6 1 3 18 9
France 2019 8 5 2 1 7 4
AustraliaNew Zealand 2023 10 6 2 2 22 5 2 1 0 1 2 2
Brazil 2027 To be determined To be determined To be determined
MexicoUnited States 2031 To be determined To be determined To be determined
EnglandNorthern IrelandScotlandWales 2035 Qualified Qualified as co-host
Total 1/12 - - - - - - - 54 24 10 20 96 70 2 1 0 1 2 2
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

UEFA Women's Championship

Wales at the UEFA Women's Championship

UEFA Women's Championship record Qualifying record
Year Result P W D* L GF GA P W D* L GF GA P/R Rnk
EnglandItalyNorwaySweden 1984 Did not enter Did not enter
Norway 1987
West Germany 1989
Denmark 1991
Italy 1993
EnglandGermanyNorwaySweden 1995 Did not qualify 6 0 0 6 5 36
NorwaySweden 1997 8 2 1 5 9 15
Germany 2001 6 0 2 4 3 16
England 2005 Withdrew Withdrew
Finland 2009 Did not qualify 11 3 0 8 11 21
Sweden 2013 8 3 1 4 12 14
Netherlands 2017 8 3 2 3 13 11
England 2022 8 4 2 2 16 4
Switzerland 2025 Group stage 3 0 0 3 2 13 10 6 3 1 24 7 Rise[a] 20th
Total 1/14 3 0 0 3 2 13 65 21 11 33 93 124 20th
*Draws include knockout matches decided by penalty kicks.

European Competition for Women's Football (Unofficial)

1979 : Group Stage[28]

UEFA Women's Nations League

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 Fall 16th Europe 2024 Did not qualify
2025 A 4 4th 6 0 2 4 4 10 Fall 14th Europe 2025 Did not qualify
Total 12 0 3 9 8 25 Total
Rise Promoted at end of season
Same position No movement at end of season
Fall 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.

Portugal 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 2025
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

See also

Notes

  1. ^ 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

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 7 August 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Wales". FIFA. Archived from the original on October 20, 2007. Retrieved 2014-06-21.
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ Harries, Owain (2024-02-23). "Republic of Ireland v Cymru - A fixture that shaped a brighter women's future". FAW. Retrieved 2024-07-20.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "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.
  10. ^ "'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.
  11. ^ "North Wales women's football greats: No 3 – Ceryl Tindall-Jones". February 8, 2021.
  12. ^ "Internationale wedstrijden – KBVB". static.belgianfootball.be. Archived from the original on 2021-04-19. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  13. ^ "Keeper coach Tucker joins Swans". BBC Sport. 15 July 2009. Archived from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  14. ^ Leighton, Tony (4 October 2010). "New Wales coach Jarmo Matikainen sets sights on Euro 2013 qualification". The Guardian.
  15. ^ "Wales Women lose manager Jarmo Matikainen". BBC Sport. 17 January 2014. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  16. ^ "National Women's Teams Manager – Jayne Ludow". Football Association of Wales. 2 October 2014.
  17. ^ "Jayne Ludlow: Wales manager leaves role". BBC Sport. 18 January 2021. Archived from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  18. ^ "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.
  19. ^ "Wales: Jon Grey will not rule out permanent manager role as he names his first squad". BBC Sport. 15 February 2024. Archived from the original on 14 September 2024. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  20. ^ "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.
  21. ^ "Cymru squad announced for UEFA Women's EURO 2025 finals". Football Association of Wales. 19 June 2025. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  22. ^ "Kelly replaces injured Soper in Wales Euro 2025 squad". BBC Sport. 12 July 2025. Archived from the original on 12 July 2025. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  23. ^ Pitman, Mark (20 February 2015). "Ingle ready to lead Wales". UEFA. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  24. ^ "Ladd's Honour as she Prepares for 100th Wales Cap". Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  25. ^ "LOREN DYKES RETIRES FROM PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL". FA Wales. 8 February 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  26. ^ 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.
  27. ^ 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.
  28. ^ Erik Garvin. "Inofficial European Women Championship 1979". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2022-12-06. Retrieved 2009-08-27.