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 (153) | ||
Top scorer | Jess Fishlock (45) | ||
FIFA code | WAL | ||
| |||
FIFA ranking | |||
Current | 29 | ||
Highest | 29[2] (June–December 2018; August 2023; August 2024) | ||
Lowest | 57[2] (June 2005; May 2006) | ||
First international | |||
(Llanelli, Wales; 13 May 1973) | |||
Biggest win | |||
(Newtown, Powys, Wales; 21 August 2010) | |||
Biggest defeat | |||
(Bielefeld, Germany, 31 March 1994) (Swansea, Wales, 5 May 1994) | |||
World Cup | |||
Appearances | 0 | ||
European Championship | |||
Appearances | 0 | ||
Website | www |
The team has never qualified for the FIFA Women's World Cup or the UEFA European Women's Championship. They most recently came the closest they ever have to qualifying for their first ever FIFA Women's World Cup going all the way to the FIFA Women's World Cup UEFA play-off final before falling to a 2–1 defeat at the fate of an opposition last minute winner in extra time against the Switzerland women's national football team.[3]
Apart from Gwalia United all Welsh women's football clubs play in the Welsh women's football league system.[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, by lost in estra time against Switzerland in Zurich.
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.[8]
Kit supplier
editKit 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
2023
edit22 September 2023–24 UEFA Nations League | Iceland | 1–0 | | Reykjavík |
20:00 (18:00 WET) |
|
Report | Stadium: Laugardalsvöllur, Referee: Katalin Kulcsár (Hungary) |
26 September 2023–24 Nations League | Wales | 1–5 | | Cardiff |
19:15 UTC+1 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium Attendance: 8,607 Referee: Stéphanie Frappart (France) |
27 October 2023–24 Nations League | Germany | 5–1 | | Sinsheim |
17:45 | Report | Holland |
Stadium: Rhein-Neckar-Arena Attendance: 20,107 Referee: Monika Mularczyk (Poland) |
31 October 2023–24 Nations League | Denmark | 2–1 | | Viborg |
18:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Viborg Stadium Attendance: 2,227 Referee: Sandra Braz (Portugal) |
1 December 2023–24 Nations League | Wales | 1–2 | | Cardiff |
19:15 GMT |
|
Report | Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium Attendance: 5,275 Referee: Esther Staubli (Switzerland) |
5 December 2023–24 Nations League | Wales | 0–0 | | Swansea |
18:30 GMT | Report | Stadium: Swansea Stadium Attendance: 5,982 Referee: Iuliana Demetrescu (Romania) |
2024
edit27 February Friendly | Republic of Ireland | 0–2 | | Dublin |
19:30 GMT | Report | Stadium: Tallaght Stadium Attendance: 8,218 Referee: Frida Mia Klarlund (Denmark) |
5 April Euro 2025 qualifying | Wales | 4–0 | | Wrexham |
19:15 BST | Report | Stadium: Racecourse Ground Attendance: 4,117 Referee: Zuzana Valentová (Slovakia) |
9 April Euro 2025 qualifying | Kosovo | 0–6 | | Podujevo |
14:00 CEST | Report | Stadium: Zahir Pajaziti Stadium Attendance: 200 Referee: Galiya Echeva (Bulgaria) |
31 May Euro 2025 qualifying | Wales | 1–1 | | Llanelli |
19:15 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 4,046 Referee: Shona Shukrula (Netherlands) |
4 June Euro 2025 qualifying | Ukraine | 2–2 | | Grodzisk Wielkopolski |
20:00 CEST | Report | Stadium: Stadion Respect Energy Attendance: 88 Referee: Caroline Lanssens (Belgium) |
12 July Euro 2025 qualifying | Croatia | 0–3 | | Karlovac |
20:15 CEST | Report | Stadium: Stadion Branko Čavlović-Čavlek Referee: Marta Huerta De Aza, Spain |
16 July Euro 2025 qualifying | Wales | 2–0 | | 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 | v | |
29 October UEFA Women's Euro 2025 qualifying play-offs | | v | Slovakia | Cardiff |
Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium |
Coaching staff
editCurrent coaching staff
edit- As of 26 February 2024.
Position | Name |
---|---|
Head coach | |
Assistant coach | |
Goalkeeping coach | |
Head of physical performance |
Manager history
editSylvia Gore (1979–1989)[9]
Sue Lopez (1995–1996)
Roy Thomas (1996–2000)[10][11]
Sian Williams (2000–2003)
Andy Beattie (2003–2007)
Adrian Tucker (2007–2010)[12]
Jarmo Matikainen (2010–2014)[13][14]
Jayne Ludlow (2014–2021)[15][16]
Gemma Grainger (2021–2024)[17]
Rhian Wilkinson (2024–)[18]
Players
editCurrent squad
edit- The following players were called up for the UEFA Euro 2025 qualifying matches against Croatia and Kosovo and were played on 12 and 16 July 2024, respectively.[19] The former tie was played at the Stadion Branko Čavlović-Čavlek in Karlovac, Croatia, while the latter tie was played at Parc y Scarlets stadium in Llanelli, Wales.
These last two winning matches meant that Wales finished top of Group 4 Euro 2025 qualifying as a seeded team for the play-offs. The play-off draw was made in Nyon, Switzerland on Friday 19 July 2024 at 13:00 CET and Wales were drawn against Slovakia. The first leg will be played at the National Training Centre Poprad, Poprad, Slovakia on 25 October 2024 with the second leg four days later at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff on 29 October 2024.
Wales have also gained promotion for the upcoming 2025–26 UEFA Women's Nations League.
- All caps and goals as of 16 August 2024, after the match against Kosovo, played at the Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli, Wales.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | GK | Laura O'Sullivan | 23 August 1991 | 59 | 0 | |
12 | GK | Olivia Clark | 30 August 2001 | 21 | 0 | |
21 | GK | Safia Middleton-Patel | 21 September 2004 | 2 | 0 | |
5 | DF | Rhiannon Roberts | 30 August 1990 | 72 | 2 | |
14 | DF | Hayley Ladd | 6 October 1993 | 95 | 3 | |
3 | DF | Gemma Evans | 1 August 1996 | 67 | 1 | |
6 | DF | Mayzee Davies | 25 August 2006 | 3 | 0 | |
2 | DF | Lily Woodham | 3 September 2000 | 29 | 2 | |
4 | DF | Sophie Ingle | 2 September 1991 | 141 | 6 | |
11 | DF | Lois Joel | 2 June 1999 | 5 | 0 | Unattached |
23 | DF | Ffion Morgan | 11 May 2000 | 35 | 1 | |
20 | MF | Carrie Jones | 4 September 2003 | 28 | 2 | |
16 | MF | Charlie Estcourt | 27 May 1998 | 43 | 3 | |
22 | MF | Alice Griffiths | 22 January 2001 | 9 | 0 | |
8 | MF | Angharad James (captain) | 1 June 1994 | 122 | 6 | |
10 | MF | Jess Fishlock | 14 January 1987 | 154 | 45 | |
7 | MF | Ceri Holland | 12 December 1997 | 34 | 4 | |
18 | MF | Ellen Jones | 10 January 2002 | 0 | 0 | |
19 | FW | Ella Powell | 1 February 2000 | 8 | 0 | |
13 | FW | Rachel Rowe | 13 September 1992 | 68 | 8 | |
9 | FW | Kayleigh Barton | 22 March 1988 | 82 | 21 | |
17 | FW | Mary McAteer | 2 January 2004 | 5 | 1 | |
15 | FW | Tianna Teisar | 24 September 2005 | 0 | 0 |
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 | v. | |
GK | Poppy Soper | 4 May 2002 | 0 | 0 | v. | |
DF | Amy Richardson | 5 January 2006 | 0 | 0 | v. | |
DF | Cadi Rodgers | 29 August 2007 | 0 | 0 | v. | |
DF | Esther Morgan | 28 August 2002 | 9 | 0 | v. | |
MF | Carrie Jones | 4 September 2003 | 26 | 2 | v. | |
MF | Josie Green | 25 April 1993 | 29 | 0 | v. | |
MF | Ania Denham | 6 March 2007 | 0 | 0 | v. | |
MF | Elena Cole | 8 April 2007 | 0 | 0 | v. | |
MF | Mared Griffiths | 3 March 2007 | 0 | 0 | v. | |
MF | Anna Filbey | 11 October 1999 | 7 | 0 | v. | |
MF | Morgan Rogers | 16 July 2002 | 0 | 0 | v. | |
MF | Megan Wynne | 21 January 1993 | 24 | 1 | v. | |
MF | Josie Longhurst | 24 February 2002 | 0 | 0 | v. | |
MF | Chloe Williams | 22 December 2000 | 1 | 0 | v. | |
FW | Olivia Francis | 20 February 2006 | 0 | 0 | v. | |
FW | Elise Hughes | 15 April 2001 | 26 | 3 | v. | |
FW | Tegan McGowan | 17 June 2004 | 0 | 0 | v. | |
FW | Hannah Cain | 11 February 1999 | 8 | 1 | v. | |
FW | Lauren Thomas | 10 January 2000 | 0 | 0 | v. | |
|
Captains
edit- Jayne Ludlow (−2012)
- Jess Fishlock (2012–2015)[20]
- 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.[22]
In April 2024, Jess Fishlock became the first player to earn 150 caps for the Wales national football team.[23]
Competitive record
editFIFA Women's World Cup
editFIFA 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 | ||
did not enter | UEFA EURO 1991 | |||||||||||||||||||||
did not qualify | UEFA EURO 1995 | |||||||||||||||||||||
6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 21 | |||||||||||||||||
6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 13 | |||||||||||||||||
6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 17 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 23 | 16 | |||||||||||||||||
10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 18 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||
8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 22 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||
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
editUEFA Women's Championship record | Qualifying record | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Result | GP | W | D* | L | GF | GA | GP | W | D* | L | GF | GA | |
did not enter | did not enter | |||||||||||||
did not qualify | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 36 | ||||||||
8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 15 | |||||||||
6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 16 | |||||||||
Withdrew | Withdrew | |||||||||||||
did not qualify | 11 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 11 | 21 | ||||||||
8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 14 | |||||||||
8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 11 | |||||||||
8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 4 | |||||||||
to be determined | to be determined | |||||||||||||
Total | 0/14 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 55 | 15 | 8 | 32 | 69 | 117 |
- *Draws include knockout matches decided by penalty kicks.
European Competition for Women's Football (Unofficial)
editNations League
editUEFA Women's Nations League
editUEFA Women's Nations League record | |||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
League phase | Finals | ||||||||||||||||||||
Season | LG | Grp | Pos | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | P/R | RK | Year | Pos | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | ||
2023–24 | A | 3 | 4th | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 15 | 16th | Did Not Qualify | ||||||||||
2025–26 | B | To be determined | To be determined | ||||||||||||||||||
Total | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 23 | 9 | Total | 1 Title | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
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.
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
editYear | Result | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | GF | GA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 Pinatar Cup | Runner-up | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
See also
editNotes
editReferences
edit- ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 16 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Wales". FIFA. Archived from the original on October 20, 2007. Retrieved 2014-06-21.
- ^ "Women's World Cup play-off: Wales hearts broken by extra-time Switzerland winner". BBC. 11 October 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
- ^ "MAJOR RESTRUCTURE FOR WOMEN'S GAME IN WALES". FAW. 14 May 2022. 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. Retrieved 2024-07-20.
- ^ "Arsenal's Jayne Ludlow calls time on Wales career". BBC Sport. 2012-10-18. Retrieved 2024-07-20.
- ^ "A new identity for football in Wales". faw.cymru. Football Association of Wales. 7 August 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
- ^ "'For Them' – Where 200 games began for Cymru women". Football Association of Wales. 20 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.
- ^ "Keeper coach Tucker joins Swans". BBC Sport. 15 July 2009.
- ^ 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. 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.
- ^ "Gemma Grainger: Wales appoint new manager to succeed Jayne Ludlow". BBC Sport. 19 March 2021.
- ^ "Rhian Wilkinson: Former Canada defender named Wales head coach". BBC Sport. 26 February 2024.
- ^ Football Association of Wales (28 June 2024). "Cymru squad announced for Final EURO Qualifiers".
- ^ 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. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
- ^ BBC, Sport (8 April 2024). "Euro 2025 qualifying: Jess Fishlock to captain Wales in Kosovo". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ Erik Garvin. "Inofficial European Women Championship 1979". RSSSF. Retrieved 2009-08-27.