'Strong leader' Wilkinson backed to grow after new deal
Grainger had come within sight of ending Wales' wait for a first appearance at a women's major tournament, but her team lost out to Switzerland in the 2023 World Cup play-offs. Wilkinson took charge of a squad who were in decent shape, even if they had just been relegated from the top tier of the Nations League after a difficult campaign in the autumn of 2023. But after others had come close, it was Wilkinson who found a formula to carry Wales over the line in a qualification campaign.
Rhian Wilkinson's Wales famously triumphed in Dublin in December 2024 to qualify for a first women's major tournament Having come through their group unbeaten, Wilkinson's side won play-off ties against Slovakia and Republic of Ireland to seal their European Championship place. The tournament itself was something of a disappointment, with a feeling that Wales did not do themselves justice as they suffered three heavy group defeats, albeit against high-class opponents. The losses were part of a 12-game winless run during 2025, with Wilkinson acknowledging a "burden" had been lifted when they ended that painful sequence by beating Switzerland in a friendly last December.
Since then fortunes have improved, with Wales making an encouraging start to Women's World Cup qualifying. Wales are second in Group B1 heading into next month's decisive games in Montenegro and at home to the Czech Republic, who are currently top on goal difference. Overhauling the Czechs would gives them a more favourable play-off path later in the year but, even then, there will be significant hurdles to clear if they are to qualify for next year's tournament in Brazil.
Former Wales captain and coach Kath Morgan reckons Wilkinson's new deal suggests she has genuine belief her team can go all the way. "She will be judged on qualification and she must be confident that Wales will qualify for the World Cup," added Morgan. Brazil remains very much on the table, but Wilkinson suggested at the start of this campaign that Euro 2029 may be the more achievable target.
Having lost the inspirational Jess Fishlock - as well as another senior player, Kayleigh Barton - last autumn, Wales are in something of a rebuilding phase, with a sprinkling of youngsters look to establish themselves at international level. Jess Fishlock and Kayleigh Barton have departed since Euro 2025, and there are other Wales players at the back-end of their international careers Part of Wilkinson's job is to bring through players who will fill the holes left by Fishlock, Barton and the other senior figures who remain in the squad for now but cannot go on forever, such as Sophie Ingle, Rhiannon Roberts and Rachel Rowe. Football Association of Wales chief football officer David Adams acknowledged as much as Wilkinson's new contract was announced.