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Sunday, February 22, 2026

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Three uncapped players call up for openers

Rhian Wilkinson has announced her squad for the opening 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying matches

away to Czechia and home to Montenegro at Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli.

An international friendly at Rodney Parade in 2019 was the last time Wales played Czechia. Wales last faced Montenegro

in 2014 during the 2015 Women's World Cup qualifying campaign.

Three uncapped players feature in the squad, including Plymouth Argyle duo Olivia Francis and Phoebie Poole. Lois Joel

and Poppy Soper return to the squad following injuries. Laura Hughes, who earned her first cap for Cymru against Switzerland

in December, misses out due to injury.

The qualifying campaign will start at the City Stadium in Uherské Hradište against Czechia on Tuesday 3 March (KO 5:30pm GMT), ahead of the match against Montenegro in Llanelli on Saturday 7 March (KO 4:00pm GMT).

Wilkinson’s side return to Llanelli having last played there in July 2024, beating Kosovo 2-0 in a UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 qualifier, when Jess Fishlock broke the Cymru goal scoring record in front of more than 4,000 fans.

Tickets are still available to purchase on the FAW ticketing website, priced at £10 for adults and £5 for children, with discounts available for Red Wall members.