Wilkinson urges Wales to build ‘legacy’

March 3, 2026 No Comments

Wilkinson urges Wales to build ‘legacy’Image source, FAWImage caption, Rhian Wilkinson is starting her first World Cup qualifying campaign as Wales bossByGareth VincentBBC Sport Wales, AtUherske HradistePublished8 hours agoRhian Wilkinson has challenged Wales to back up their historic European Championship appearance by reaching a first Women’s World Cup.Wales begin a new World Cup qualifying campaign when they face the Czech Republic in Uherske Hradiste on Tuesday.Wilkinson says that having made a first women’s major tournament appearance at Euro 2025, Wales’ next target is the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.”What do we want our legacy to be? Is it that one qualification? Absolutely not,” the Wales head coach reported.”We want to be in the fight every major tournament and I think this team can absolutely do that.”Czech Republic v WalesWomen’s World Cup qualifyingTuesday, 3 March at 17:30 GMTCity Stadium, Uherske HradisteWatch on iPlayerListen on Sounds

Watch live on BBC Two Wales and iPlayer from 17:15 GMT; radio commentary on BBC Sounds via BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru; text commentary and match highlights on BBC Sport website and app.

As well as the Czechs, Wales will face Montenegro and Albania in Group B1.

Unless they finish bottom of the pool, Wilkinson’s team would then face a play-off campaign where they would need to come through at least two rounds to secure a World Cup place.

After the qualifying group draw was made in November, Wilkinson reported the next European Championship was a more realistic target for a Wales team in transition following the retirements of Jess Fishlock and Kayleigh Barton.

But as competitive football returns almost eight months after Wales’ Euro campaign ended with defeat to England, Wilkinson has insisted Wales’ chances of reaching Brazil are “very realistic”.

“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.”

‘What do we want our legacy to be?’ – Wilkinson

A stern test first up

On paper, Wales’ opening fixture will be the toughest of the group.

The Czech Republic are ranked 31st in the world by Fifa – one place higher than Wales – while Albania are 71st and Montenegro, who Wilkinson’s team face in Llanelli on Saturday, are 84th.

Wales have not played since a 3-2 friendly win over Switzerland in December which ended a 12-game winless run.

As her players look to build on that morale-boosting triumph, Wilkinson says Wales are expecting a “big battle” against the Czechs.

“It is about us, our performance and making sure that we’ve improved because of our challenging year last year,” she reported.

“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

Jess Fishlock and Rhiannon Roberts during Wales training — Image caption,

Jess Fishlock (left) retired from international football in October

Though Fishlock, Wales’ record appearance maker and all-time leading goalscorer, is no longer in Wilkinson’s squad, she is in camp as part of Wilkinson’s coaching staff.

However, Fishlock will not be involved in the Montenegro game as she is to rejoin club side Seattle Reign as they prepare for the new National Women’s Soccer League season.

Wilkinson has indicated that Fishlock’s Reign commitments will mean the 39-year-old is not a regular on the Wales staff, in the short term at least.

Instead, Wilkinson says other former players, including ex-striker Barton, will spend time as part of her 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 reported.

“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.”

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The long road to Brazil

The path to the World Cup is not straightforward, with no automatic qualification route available to Wales because they are not in League A.

Should they finish top of their group, Wales’ first-round play-off would be against a side who finish second or third in a League B pool.

But if they come second or third, they would face a side who finish in fourth place in League A or a Group B winner.

The second round of the play-offs is seeded and should Wales get that far, they would be likely to face League A opposition.

Even a win at that stage may not mean the job is done, because the lowest-ranked of the eight European sides who get through the play-offs will go into inter-confederation play-offs in February 2027. Wales could conceivably be that side.

“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 reported.

“So what can we control? Coming first in this group is obviously the objective.”

Wilkinson urges Wales to build ‘legacy’

A stern test first up

Fishlock plays her part

The long road to Brazil

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A stern test first up

Fishlock plays her part

The long road to Brazil

Related topics

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