**Rhian Wilkinson Announces Wales Squad for Crucial Nations League Fixtures Ahead of First-Ever Euros**
Wales women’s football team manager, Rhian Wilkinson, has unveiled her squad for the final two fixtures in their current UEFA Women’s Nations League campaign. The announcement was made as anticipation builds for a ground-breaking summer, with Wales gearing up for their inaugural appearance at the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 finals in Switzerland.
The 26-player squad, revealed on 20 May 2025, will face Denmark in Odense on Friday, 30 May, before hosting Italy at the Swansea.com Stadium on Tuesday, 3 June. With only two games left in the group stage, the Welsh camp faces an intense challenge to maintain their position in Nations League A. They currently sit at the bottom of the group, trailing both Denmark and Italy by four points.
Head coach Wilkinson’s selections reflect a blend of youth and experience. Newcomers Mared Griffiths and Soffia Kelly receive their maiden senior call-ups, recognition for their standout displays during last month’s UEFA U-19 League A qualifiers. Their performances helped the youth team clinch a hard-earned second place in a competitive group, signalling encouraging times ahead for the national setup.
Notably, the squad will be without experienced goalkeeper Laura O’Sullivan-Jones, who has been sidelined with an ACL injury, presenting a significant challenge for Wilkinson. The absence of such a key player will test the squad’s depth and provide an opportunity for other keepers to step up during these decisive matches.
Wales enter this double-header on the back of a morale-boosting display against Sweden. The side impressed supporters and neutrals alike by holding the world’s fifth-ranked team to a 1-1 draw in Gothenburg. That result has reinvigorated hopes as they look to build momentum ahead of their historic debut at the European finals.
The previous encounter against Denmark ended in a spirited but narrow 2-1 defeat in Cardiff. As they prepare to travel for the away fixture, there will be lessons to learn from that meeting as they seek to upset a strong Danish outfit in their backyard.
The home match against Italy not only marks the conclusion of the Nations League campaign but also represents the final opportunity for home fans to see their team in action before the Euros. It’s a crucial moment for the players and supporters alike, as the nation’s footballing hopes reach fever pitch. The Italian test could well serve as a barometer for the squad’s readiness for the challenges that lie ahead in Switzerland.
Wilkinson’s selection includes stalwarts such as Jess Fishlock (Seattle Reign), captain Sophie Ingle, as well as other notable names like Angharad James and Gemma Evans. The squad also features Premier League talents including Hayley Ladd (Everton), Charlie Estcourt (DC Power), and Rhiannon Roberts (Real Betis), highlighting the diversity and depth in the national pool.
The full squad comprises: Olivia Clark (Leicester City), Safia Middleton-Patel (Manchester United), Soffia Kelly (Aston Villa), Poppy Soper (Blackburn Rovers), Rhiannon Roberts (Real Betis), Josie Green (Crystal Palace), Charlie Estcourt (DC Power), Hayley Ladd (Everton), Gemma Evans (Liverpool), Mayzee Davies (Manchester City), Lily Woodham (Crystal Palace on loan from Seattle Reign), Ella Powell (Bristol City), Esther Morgan (Sheffield United), Alice Griffiths (Durham on loan from Southampton), Angharad James (Seattle Reign), Lois Joel (Newcastle United), Carrie Jones (IFK Norrköping), Ffion Morgan (Bristol City), Jess Fishlock (Seattle Reign), Ceri Holland (Liverpool), Rachel Rowe (Southampton), Kayleigh Barton (Charlton Athletic), Tianna Teisar (Bristol City), Hannah Cain (Leicester City), Elise Hughes (Crystal Palace), and Mared Griffiths (Manchester United).
As Wales counts down to its historic Euros debut, these Nations League matches offer a final proving ground, not just for the players, but for the whole set-up as they aim to inspire another generation of footballers. The coming weeks promise to be both challenging and exhilarating for Wilkinson and her squad, as they balance the immediate demands of their group with the longer-term goal of making history on the continental stage.