Wales will face a significant challenge in their Women's World Cup play-off semi-final against Albania next month after losing seven key players to injury. The absence is particularly damaging as it includes Ceri Holland, Liverpool's player of the season for 2025-26 and arguably Wales' most influential player since the retirement of Jess Fishlock. Head coach Rhian Wilkinson has responded by handing first senior call-ups to 18-year-olds Casi Gregson of Newcastle United and Heidi Hills of Tottenham Hotspur, assembling a squad with six uncapped players overall. The loss of experienced defenders and midfielders also means backup goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel, on loan at Watford from Manchester United, is the only goalkeeper with international experience.

The first leg takes place in Albania on Friday, 9 October, with the return fixture in Llanelli four days later. Should Wales overcome this hurdle, they would progress to a play-off final in December against either Norway or Romania, with the possibility of facing inter-confederation play-offs in early 2025 should they progress further. Wales arrive at the play-off in decent form, remaining unbeaten in their past eight internationals after recovering from a difficult period of 12 games without a win that ended with a victory against Switzerland in December 2025.