Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson has called on her players to deliver back-to-back performances against Montenegro and Czechia as the first phase of qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup comes to a tense finale.
Czechia currently top Group B1 on the same points as Cymru but with a two-goal advantage. Wilkinson’s side head to Podgorica to take on bottom side Montenegro on Friday 5 June (KO 17:00 UK) before returning to Cardiff to take on Czechia in the match that will decide the group winner on Tuesday 9 June (KO 18:00).
“We want to finish top of the group and requalify for League A,” said Wilkinson as she announced her squad for the two games on Wednesday. “We’re scoring and we’ve conceded less goals. We’ve got two very important games right around the corner where we’ve got to make sure that we deliver two back-to-back performances that we can be proud of.”
Cymru claimed maximum points last month with two victories against Albania. However, Wilkinson was unhappy with certain aspects of the away performance. “I think in the last camp we had one of our best camps off the field and in the first game, and then we ended it with a performance that I didn’t think that reflected who this team is,” she explained.
“I’ve had one-on-ones with every player through this gap just to sit with them on the phone and just talk about how the difference between those top, top teams is when they have an off day, they don’t drop that far. We reverted to a type of football that I don’t think we’ve ever played and that was a frustration for me, but equally the players were so frustrated with themselves.”
Laura Hughes makes a welcome return to the squad having claimed a league and cup double with Melbourne City in Australia. “We’ve been waiting for her to be fit and healthy,” said Wilkinson. “She’s been playing well and we’re happy to have her back in. We’ve had one camp with her and she did very well. I thought she brought a lot of energy, a lot of intensity to training, which I really appreciated.”
Goalkeeper Olivia Clark, Lois Joel and Ceri Holland also return from injury, while Mayzee Davies is expected to feature at some point during the upcoming games having been used as a training player in the last camp. Scarlett Hill and Elena Cole have been called up after impressing for the Cymru WU19 side, but the experience of Hayley Ladd is a notable omission through injury.
“I think it’s an exciting squad and we’re really building our depth which is fantastic,” added Wilkinson. “I think we know we can’t have a squad that names itself and we’re seeing that with this one.” Wilkinson also spoke about her recent decision to sign a two-year contract extension that will take her through to 2029.
“I’m very grateful to the FAW for my team and for my staff who have made this such a pleasure,” she explained. “It’s been tough, it’s been much harder than I expected, and much better than I expected. I sat down with my family, and we looked at the different options for the next few years of my career. To be honest, none of them felt right.
“I don’t think this project is finished. That doesn’t mean that I’m going to be the one who gets us to the next World Cup or does something amazing next. I just feel like I can help raise the level another notch before the next coach comes in and drives them forward again. Because that is what the job is of the coach is, to continually drive the team forward, and I don’t think I’m finished with that project.”
One player missing is Alice Griffiths. A member of the EURO 2025 squad, the 25-year-old midfielder made the decision to retire from professional football earlier this month. “Alice is an exceptional young lady who I think we have to applaud for knowing herself and recognising that she wasn’t in a good spot and taking action to help herself and her family,” said Wilkinson.
“It was great to have her in our environment. But equally, I’ve had quite a few conversations with her, and to know someone who’s so self-aware and so able to understand what they need in that moment, I’m pretty in awe of her. I think we can be upset that she’s stepped away, but equally really proud of someone, a young person, recognising exactly what they need in that moment. I wish her all the best.”
Cymru started the campaign with a 2-2 draw with Czechia in March as Elise Hughes salvaged a point with a late equaliser, and the two nations have been tied at the top since then. “We got away with one,” said Wilkinson. “That was an important tie for us. They had the better opportunities in that game. We ended a tough 2025 really well and I think we forgot that we’re going to have to work for everything in League B.
“Nothing was given. You’ve got to bring that fight as well as the skill sets, and that was really delivered to us by a very strong Czechia team. The are very well organised with some incredible talent on the team. Watching them come through the campaign, you think, ‘Wow, this is a team that’s really in step with us.’ There’s not much between the two teams and it’s going to be an exciting game.”
With top spot in the group very much in the balance, Wilkinson has called on the Red Wall to get behind the team for the decisive match against Czechia. “The atmosphere they create, the ambiance, the way that we’re just breaking records over and over again with the fans that show up to support the team is massive for these women,” she said.
“I’d just like to thank the fans in advance for coming out and supporting us. They’ve been doing that incredibly well. This team is Wales. They are so proud of what they’re doing, and we’ve got this opportunity to play a team that is pretty much completely even with us. I love games like this. We just have to show up, and I know our fans will be a big difference maker.”
Tickets for the match against Czechia are available to purchase on the FAW ticketing website, priced at £10 for adults and £5 for children, with discounts available for Red Wall members.
