Wilkinson Begins World Cup Qualifying Campaign as Wales Boss
Rhian Wilkinson has set a clear challenge for Wales to build on their historic first appearance at the European Championship by aiming to qualify for their inaugural Women's World Cup.
Wales will commence their World Cup qualifying journey with an away match against the Czech Republic in Uherske Hradiste on Tuesday.
Having secured qualification for the UEFA Women's Euro 2025, Wilkinson has identified the 2027 World Cup in Brazil as the next major objective for the team.
"What do we want our legacy to be? Is it that one qualification? Absolutely not," the Wales head coach said. "We want to be in the fight every major tournament and I think this team can absolutely do that."
Fans can watch the match live on BBC Two Wales and from 17:15 GMT, with radio commentary available on via BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru. Text commentary and match highlights will be accessible on the website and app.
Wales' Group B1 opponents include the Czech Republic, Montenegro, and Albania.
Unless Wales finish at the bottom of their group, they will advance to a play-off stage where they must succeed in at least two rounds to secure a World Cup berth.
Following the qualifying group draw in November, Wilkinson initially regarded the next European Championship as a more attainable target for a Welsh team undergoing transition after the retirements of Jess Fishlock and Kayleigh Barton.
However, as competitive fixtures resume nearly eight months after Wales were eliminated by England at the Euros, Wilkinson has expressed confidence in Wales' prospects of reaching Brazil.
"I believe this team can absolutely qualify for the World Cup and we're ready," the former Canada international added. "We just have to deliver and it has to be consistent delivery of what we can do."
A Stern Test First Up
On paper, Wales' opening fixture against the Czech Republic represents the toughest challenge in the group.
The Czech Republic are ranked 31st globally by FIFA, just one position above Wales, while Albania and Montenegro are ranked 71st and 84th respectively. Wales will host Montenegro in Llanelli on Saturday.
Wales have not played since a 3-2 friendly victory over Switzerland in December, which ended a 12-game winless streak.
Building on that morale-boosting win, Wilkinson anticipates a "big battle" against the Czech Republic.
"It is about us, our performance and making sure that we've improved because of our challenging year last year," she said. "We've got six games, we want to finish top in the group, so one step in front of the other. We haven't been together for a little while, but I expect this team to hit the ground running and I've told them that."
Fishlock Plays Her Part
Though Jess Fishlock, Wales' record appearance maker and all-time leading goalscorer, retired from international football in October, she remains involved with the national team as part of Wilkinson's coaching staff.
Fishlock will not participate in the upcoming Montenegro game as she is preparing to rejoin her club side, Seattle Reign, for the new National Women's Soccer League season.
Wilkinson has indicated that Fishlock's club commitments will limit her availability for Wales in the short term.
Other former players, including ex-striker Kayleigh Barton, will also contribute to the coaching team.
"Jess I hope will be part of our plans in the future. What that looks like will depend on her career and when she chooses to step away," Wilkinson said. "She's a player who's going to be playing for her squad in Seattle and we have to respect that. But equally it's how I balance that with other players like Kayleigh Barton, who also need to have that experience up the senior squad."
The Long Road to Brazil
The qualification path to the World Cup is complex, with no automatic qualification available to Wales as they are not in League A.
If Wales finish top of their group, their first-round play-off opponent will be a team that finishes second or third in a League B group.
Should Wales finish second or third, they will face a team that finishes fourth in League A or a Group B winner.
The second round of the play-offs is seeded, and if Wales progress, they are likely to face League A opposition.
Even after a second-round victory, Wales may still need to compete in inter-confederation play-offs in February 2027 if they are the lowest-ranked of the eight European teams advancing through the play-offs.
"We talked today about what's in front of us – [this is the] first step and it is it's a long and fairly complicated process," Wilkinson said. "So what can we control? Coming first in this group is obviously the objective."
