Women’s Euro 2025 will see history made with Wales Women playing at a major tournament for the first time.
They had gone close to qualifying for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, making it through the play-offs. But their dream was ended then by Switzerland.
A reshuffle of European Championship qualifying meant Wales had a better chance of reaching the final tournament. They were placed in League B of qualifying, alongside Ukraine, Croatia and Kosovo.
Wales finished that group unbeaten, with 18 goals scored and just three conceded, taking 14 points from their six games. That didn’t secure a spot to the final tournament, but Wales did advance to the play-offs.
There, Wales worked hard for their spot, beating Slovakia in the first round and Republic of Ireland in the second to reach the European Championship. Although there were more hurdles to jump over than previously, the fixtures were always going to be more favourable.
And now, Wales travel to Switzerland ready to take part in a major tournament for the first time. They’ve been given a tough group alongside England, France and the Netherlands.
So, how will Wales get on?
Defensive tests
Given their standing as the minnows of the group, Wales’ defence may be the most important part of their squad. As mentioned, the Dragons conceded just three goals in their six qualifying group games. They kept four clean sheets, with only two teams conceding fewer goals in League B of qualifying.
But they conceded four goals in their four play-off matches, with just one clean sheet. And Wales haven’t kept a clean sheet since their 2-0 win over Slovakia, conceding in each of their past eight games across all competitions.
Wales have had a real problem with slow starts. They have conceded in the opening 15 minutes in four of their six games in 2025. And three of those came inside 10 minutes. And they were 0-4 down at half-time in their final Nations League game against Italy.
Now, Wales have utilised a back four in each of their past four games, with a pretty set selection of players. Lily Woodham, Gemma Evans and Josie Green have been the main starters, with Hayley Ladd or Mayzee Davies filling in the other centre-back spot. Ladd is likely to start at Euro 2025, with Davies ruled due to injury.
But given Wales’ opponents, manager Rhian Wilkinson may opt to revert to the back three/five she started the year with. Green can push in to one of the centre-back spots to really pack the box, with the likes of Ceri Holland or Ella Powell having experience at wing-back for Wales.
A back three won’t guarantee defensive solidity though. Wales conceded 20 shots against Italy in their first game of 2025 playing a back three, though they only let in one goal. When they lost 1-4 to Italy in a back four, Wales allowed 15 shots. But Wales also faced their fewest amount of shots in a game this year while playing with a back three, with Sweden having just nine in their 1-1 draw in Wrexham. And only two of those hit the target.
Wales’ defence will definitely be tested by the likes of Alessia Russo, Vivianne Miedema and Marie-Antoinette Katoto.
A timely return
The big boost for Wales going into the Euros was the availability of Sophie Ingle. The veteran midfielder had missed the entirety of Chelsea’s treble-winning season due to an ACL injury suffered last September. Her sole focus was to get back in time for the Euros, and she did exactly that,
Now, Wales manager Wilkinson has to decide whether Ingle will go straight into the team or be utilised as a substitute. Ingle isn’t really one to come in and change a game when her team are chasing. It’s normally to help provide more stability at the base of midfield to protect a lead. And Wales aren’t expected to be protecting any leads.
So Wilkinson may take start Ingle from the off, which is a risk but it comes with high rewards. With Ingle at the base of the midfield, someone like Jess Fishlock will have more freedom to get involved in the attack.
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Fishlock has one goal and one assist in her first four games of the 2025 National Women’s Soccer League season for Seattle Reign. She’s had six shots with two on target, while creating three chances. And she’s only started two of her four appearances.
Ingle’s return at the base of the midfield will also be key to help Wales have some form of control. England have the player who Chelsea signed to replace Ingle in their midfield, Keira Walsh, to control their games. France have Grace Geyoro and Oriane-Jean Francois, while the Netherlands will likely play Jackie Groenen at the base of their midfield.
Problems in attack
Wales’ biggest problem in 2025 has been their attack. There’s no doubt about that.
The Dragons averaged three goals per game in their Euro 2025 qualifying group. In the play-offs, that average halved to 1.5 goals per game. And one of their six goals came in extra-time, so it’s 1.25 in 90 minutes only.
In 2025, Wales’ average has dropped again. They’ve scored just four times in their six matches going into Euro 2025, averaging 0.66 goals per game. They’ve failed to score twice and haven’t netted more than once in a game this year.
Wales have averaged 5.66 shots per game in 2025, with 3.66 hitting the target. Which isn’t enough. The accuracy has also been inconsistent. In a 1-1 draw with Sweden in Gothenburg, Wales hit the target with all four of their shots. Just days earlier, they had recorded 22% shooting accuracy in a 1-2 home defeat to Denmark.
The problem for Wales is the lack of a goalscoring forward that they can rely on. Fishlock is the topscorer in Wales’ squad with 47 goals in 162 caps. She’s also the topscorer in Wales’ history, but she’s still a midfielder. Kayleigh Barton is up next, scoring 22 goals in 86 caps. But Barton is now 37 and doesn’t often start. Her only goal in 2025 came from the penalty spot against Sweden in February — her only appearance for Wales this year.
After Barton, the next-highest scoring forwards are Carrie Jones, Elise Hughes and Hannah Cain. But the trio are tied on three goals. They’re all young and will be the future of Wales, with Cain the oldest of the trio at 26. But she also has the best record, with three goals in 16 games.
Wilkinson will likely trust Cain to lead the line, with Elise Hughes coming off the bench to either supplement or replace the 26-year-old. There will be a lot of hopes placed on their young shoulders.