Women’s World Cup qualifying: Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson has unfinished business

Wilkinson was appointed Wales boss in February 2024, following Gemma Grainger’s surprise resignation.

The former Canada international enjoyed instant success, guiding the land of her mother to Euro 2025, the first women’s major tournament in the nation’s history.

Wales are now in contention for a Women’s World Cup debut, though there is much work to do with up to three play-off rounds to come after the group stage concludes next month.

Former Wales captain and coach Kath Morgan suggested after Wilkinson’s new deal was agreed that her reign would “be judged on qualification”.

Wilkinson, however, sees things differently.

She acknowledges that reaching at least one more major championship is “the goal” , but believes other factors will be involved in deciding whether her spell in charge is deemed a success.

“I just think we put a lot of emphasis on [qualifying] and we do as a team – internally and externally we’ve been very clear with our ambition,” Wilkinson said.

“But what is our gauge of success and failure?

“How as a staffing team do we make sure that the legacy of our time working for this programme is that we’re leaving it in a really healthy environment where this team doesn’t name itself, where we’ve got depth and different options in every position across the field?

“If we can do that well, we will qualify for major tournaments.”