Wales women's national football team

Last updated
Wales
Wales national football team logo.svg
Nickname(s) The Dragons (Welsh: Y Dreigiau)
Association Football Association of Wales (FAW)
Confederation UEFA (Europe)
Head coach Gemma Grainger
Captain Sophie Ingle
Most caps Jess Fishlock (136)
Top scorer Helen Ward (44)
FIFA code WAL
Kit left arm wal22h.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body wal22h.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm wal22h.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts wal22h.png
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks 3 stripes white.png
Kit socks long.svg
First colours
Kit left arm wal22a.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body wal22a.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm wal22a.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts wal22a.png
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks 3 stripes red.png
Kit socks long.svg
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 32 Decrease2.svg 1 (9 December 2022) [1]
Highest29 [2] (June–September 2018)
Lowest57 [2] (May 2006)
First international
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 2–3 Republic of Ireland  Flag of Ireland.svg
(Llanelli, Wales; 13 May 1973)
Biggest win
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 15–0 Azerbaijan  Flag of Azerbaijan.svg
(Newtown, Powys, Wales; 21 August 2010)
Biggest defeat
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 12–0 Wales  Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg
(Bielefeld, Germany, 31 March 1994)
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 0–12 Germany  Flag of Germany.svg
(Swansea, Wales, 5 May 1994)
World Cup
Appearances0
European Championship
Appearances0
Website www.faw.cymru/en/

The Wales national women's football team (Welsh : Tîm pêl-droed merched cenedlaethol Cymru) represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales (FAW), the governing body for football in Wales and the third-oldest national football association in the world, founded in 1876(147 years ago).

Contents

The team has never qualified for the FIFA Women's World Cup or the UEFA European Women's Championship. They most recently came the closest they ever have to qualifying for their first ever FIFA Women's World Cup going all the way to the FIFA Women's World Cup UEFA play-off final before falling to a 2–1 defeat at the fate of an opposition last minute winner in extra time against the Switzerland women's national football team. [3]

All of Welsh women's football clubs play in the Welsh women's football league system. [4] Wales, as a country of the United Kingdom, is not a member of the International Olympic Committee and therefore the national team does not compete in the Olympic Games.

Team image

Media coverage

Live television broadcast rights are held by BBC Cymru Wales (Welsh & English language commentary) until 2027.

The primary kit has long been all-red. The crest of the Football Association of Wales features a rampant Welsh Dragon on a white shield. From 1920, the shield was surrounded by a red border, and the letters 'FAW' were added in 1926. The badge was redesigned in 1951, adding a green border with 11 daffodils, as well as the Welsh-language motto Gorau Chwarae Cyd Chwarae ("The best play is team play"). The motto was briefly removed in 1984, but the badge stayed largely the same until 2010, when the shield was changed to feature rounded sides and the motto banner was changed from white to red and green. The dragon also changed from rampant to rampant regardant. The motto was removed again in 2019, following another major redesign of the badge, which saw the top of the shield flattened and the sides changed not to curve outwards; the green border was also thinned and the daffodils removed. [5]

Kit supplier

Kit providerPeriod Umbro 1996
Lotto 1996–2000
Kappa 2000–2008
Champion 2008–2010
Umbro 2010–2013
Adidas 2013–

Results and fixtures

Legend

  Win  Draw  Lose  Fixture

2022

8 April 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification – UEFA Group I Wales  Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg1–2Flag of France.svg  France Llanelli
19:45  UTC+1
  • Ingle Soccerball shade.svg71'
 Report
Stadium: Parc y Scarlets
Referee: Jana Adámková (Czech Republic)
6 September 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification – UEFA Group I Wales  Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg0–0Flag of Slovenia.svg  Slovenia Cardiff
19:45  UTC+1 Report Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium
Referee: Kateryna Monzul (Ukraine)
11 October 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification – UEFA play-offs Switzerland  Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg2–1 (a.e.t.)Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales Zürich, Switzerland
18:00  UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Letzigrund
Attendance: 7,803
Referee: Tess Olofsson (Sweden)
12 November Friendly Wales  Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg1–1Flag of Finland.svg  Finland San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain
18:30  UTC±0
Report

2023

15 February 2023 Pinatar Cup Wales  Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg1–0Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain
19:30  UTC+1 Green Soccerball shade.svg45+1' (pen.) Report Stadium: Pinatar Arena
Referee: Lucie Šulcová (Czech Republic)
18 February 2023 Pinatar Cup Wales  Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg0–0Flag of Iceland.svg  Iceland San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain
19:30  UTC+1 Report Stadium: Pinatar Arena
Referee: Lucie Šulcová (Czech Republic)
21 February 2023 Pinatar Cup Scotland  Flag of Scotland.svg1–1Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain
14:05  UTC+1 Howard Soccerball shade.svg8' Holland Soccerball shade.svg42'Stadium: Pinatar Arena
Referee: Lucie Šulcová (Czech Republic)

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff

As of 24 May 2021. [6]
PositionName
Manager Flag of England.svg Gemma Grainger
Assistant coach Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Loren Dykes
Goalkeeper coach Flag of England.svg Jen Herst
Head of physical performance Flag of England.svg Luke Taylor

Manager history

Players

Current squad

No.Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClub
1 GK Laura O'Sullivan (1991-08-23) 23 August 1991 (age 31)550 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Cardiff City Ladies
1 GK Olivia Clark (2001-08-30) 30 August 2001 (age 21)40 Flag of England.svg Bristol City
1 GK Safia Middleton-Patel (2004-09-21) 21 September 2004 (age 18)00 Flag of England.svg Manchester United
2 DF Sophie Ingle (captain) (1991-09-02) 2 September 1991 (age 31)1203 Flag of England.svg Chelsea
2 DF Hayley Ladd (1993-10-06) 6 October 1993 (age 29)753 Flag of England.svg Manchester United
2 DF Rhiannon Roberts (1990-08-30) 30 August 1990 (age 32)501 Flag of England.svg Liverpool
2 DF Gemma Evans (1996-08-01) 1 August 1996 (age 26)451 Flag of England.svg Reading
2 DF Ffion Morgan (2000-05-11) 11 May 2000 (age 22)190 Flag of England.svg Bristol City
2 DF Lily Woodham (2000-09-03) 3 September 2000 (age 22)101 Flag of England.svg Reading
2 DF Maria Francis-Jones (2003-04-01) 1 April 2003 (age 19)00 Flag of England.svg Sheffield United
3 MF Jess Fishlock (1987-01-14) 14 January 1987 (age 36)13434 Flag of the United States.svg OL Reign
3 MF Angharad James (1994-06-01) 1 June 1994 (age 28)1004 Flag of England.svg Tottenham Hotspur
3 MF Charlie Estcourt (1998-05-27) 27 May 1998 (age 24)343 Flag of England.svg Birmingham City
3 MF Josie Green (1993-04-25) 25 April 1993 (age 29)230 Flag of England.svg Leicester City
3 MF Megan Wynne (1993-01-21) 21 January 1993 (age 30)191 Flag of England.svg Southampton
3 MF Ceri Holland (1997-12-12) 12 December 1997 (age 25)153 Flag of England.svg Liverpool
3 MF Carrie Jones (2003-09-04) 4 September 2003 (age 19)141 Flag of England.svg Leicester City
3 MF Anna Filbey (1999-10-11) 11 October 1999 (age 23)70 Flag of England.svg Crystal Palace
3 MF Chloe Bull (1994-12-13) 13 December 1994 (age 28)10 Flag of England.svg Bristol City
3 MF Chloe Williams (2000-12-22) 22 December 2000 (age 22)10 Flag of England.svg Blackburn Rovers
3 MF Morgan Rogers (2002-07-16) 16 July 2002 (age 20)00 Flag of England.svg Watford
4 FW Helen Ward (1986-04-26) 26 April 1986 (age 36)10244 Flag of England.svg Watford
4 FW Kayleigh Green (1988-03-22) 22 March 1988 (age 34)6516 Flag of England.svg Brighton & Hove Albion
4 FW Rachel Rowe (1992-09-13) 13 September 1992 (age 30)493 Flag of England.svg Reading
4 FW Elise Hughes (2001-04-15) 15 April 2001 (age 21)140 Flag of England.svg Crystal Palace
4 FW Georgia Walters (1993-04-06) 6 April 1993 (age 29)50 Flag of England.svg Sheffield United

Recent call-ups

Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClubLatest call-up
GK Poppy Soper (2002-05-04) 4 May 2002 (age 20)00 Flag of England.svg Charlton Athletic v. Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand, 28 June 2022
FW Natasha Harding (vice-captain) (1989-03-02) 2 March 1989 (age 34)10326 Flag of England.svg Aston Villa v. Flag of Slovenia.svg  Slovenia, 6 September 2022

Captains

Records

Competitive record

FIFA Women's World Cup

FIFA World Cup record Qualification recordFIFA World Cup qualification play-offs record
YearRoundPositionPldWD*LGFGAPldWDLGFGAPldWDLGFGA
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg 1991 did not enter UEFA EURO 1991
Flag of Sweden.svg 1995 did not qualify UEFA EURO 1995
Flag of the United States.svg 1999 6024721
Flag of the United States.svg 2003 6015213
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg 2007 6420172
Flag of Germany.svg 2011 83052316
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg 2015 10613189
Flag of France.svg 2019 852174
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Flag of New Zealand.svg 2023 10622225210122
Total0/9-------542410209670210122
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

UEFA Women's Championship

UEFA Women's Championship recordQualifying record
YearResultGPWD*LGFGAGPWD*LGFGA
Flag of England.svg Flag of Italy.svg Flag of Norway.svg Flag of Sweden.svg 1984 did not enterdid not enter
Flag of Norway.svg 1987
Flag of Germany.svg 1989
Flag of Denmark.svg 1991
Flag of Italy.svg 1993
Flag of England.svg Flag of Germany.svg Flag of Norway.svg Flag of Sweden.svg 1995 did not qualify6006536
Flag of Norway.svg Flag of Sweden.svg 1997 8215915
Flag of Germany.svg 2001 6024316
Flag of England.svg 2005 WithdrewWithdrew
Flag of Finland.svg 2009 did not qualify113081121
Flag of Sweden.svg 2013 83141214
Flag of the Netherlands.svg 2017 83231311
Flag of England.svg 2022 8422164
Total0/13------551583269117
*Draws include knockout matches decided by penalty kicks.

European Competition for Women's Football (Unofficial)

1979  : Group Stage [19]

Algarve Cup

The Algarve Cup is a global invitational tournament for national teams in women's soccer hosted by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF). Held annually in the Algarve region of Portugal since 1994, it is one of the most prestigious women's football events, alongside the Women's World Cup and Women's Olympic Football.

Flag of Portugal.svg Algarve Cup record
YearResultMatchesWinsDrawsLossesGFGA
1994
to 2001
2002 12th410319
2003 12th402248
2004 10th420268
2005
to 2008
2009 12th410386
2010
2011 8th420267
2012 8th421134
2013 12th412134
2014
to 2022
Total 8/262895143147

Other tournaments

YearResultMatchesWinsDrawsLossesGFGA
2023 Pinatar Cup Runner-up312021

See also

Notes

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    References

    1. ↑ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 9 December 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
    2. 1 2 "Wales". FIFA. Archived from the original on October 20, 2007. Retrieved 2014-06-21.
    3. ↑ "Women's World Cup play-off: Wales hearts broken by extra-time Switzerland winner". BBC. 11 October 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
    4. ↑ "MAJOR RESTRUCTURE FOR WOMEN'S GAME IN WALES". FAW. 14 May 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
    5. ↑ "A new identity for football in Wales". faw.cymru. Football Association of Wales. 7 August 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
    6. ↑ "GRAINGER CONFIRMS COACHING STAFF". FA Wales. 24 May 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
    7. ↑ "'For Them' – Where 200 games began for Cymru women". Football Association of Wales. 20 October 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
    8. ↑ "North Wales women's football greats: No 3 – Ceryl Tindall-Jones". February 8, 2021.
    9. ↑ "Internationale wedstrijden – KBVB". static.belgianfootball.be.
    10. ↑ "Keeper coach Tucker joins Swans". BBC Sport. 15 July 2009.
    11. ↑ Leighton, Tony (4 October 2010). "New Wales coach Jarmo Matikainen sets sights on Euro 2013 qualification". The Guardian .
    12. ↑ "Wales Women lose manager Jarmo Matikainen". BBC Sport. 17 January 2014. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
    13. ↑ "National Women's Teams Manager – Jayne Ludow". Football Association of Wales. 2 October 2014.
    14. ↑ "Jayne Ludlow: Wales manager leaves role". BBC Sport. 18 January 2021.
    15. ↑ "Gemma Grainger: Wales appoint new manager to succeed Jayne Ludlow". BBC Sport. 19 March 2021.
    16. ↑ "FAW / Cymru squad announced to face Finland". www.faw.cymru.
    17. ↑ Pitman, Mark (20 February 2015). "Ingle ready to lead Wales". UEFA. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
    18. ↑ "LOREN DYKES RETIRES FROM PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL". FA Wales. 8 February 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
    19. ↑ Erik Garvin. "Inofficial European Women Championship 1979". RSSSF . Retrieved 2009-08-27.
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