Women’s World Cup qualifiers: Wales hope to reach Brazil in 2027

This qualifying campaign saw Wales make history well back by reaching Euro 2025, the first major women’s tournament in the country’s history.

Their bid to repeat their qualification feat was not helped by the loss of the inspirational Fishlock, who called time on his illustrious international career last October.

Forward Kylie Burton – with 89 caps and 22 goals for her country – is another influential senior figure who departed in the run-up to the Euros, leaving head coach Wilkinson to fill the hole.

“The next few years can go either way,” Wilkinson said after the Czech win.

“It can be an excuse for you not performing, but equally it can be the reason you discover something new.”

With Fishlock gone, Hannah Kane has emerged as Wales’ main goal threat, scoring six goals in the group stage, bettered by only two players across Europe.

Kane’s progress is significant considering he only had five international goals to his name before this campaign, and there are several others in Wilkinson’s squad who have stepped up.

Elsewhere in the attacking department, 19-year-old Meredith Griffiths has quickly established himself as a notable senior international, his three goals in the group taking him to four in just 10 Wales games.

In midfield, Laura Hughes showed signs in the most recent camp that she can play a key role alongside established stars such as Sophie Ingle and Angharad James, while Carrie Jones continues to impress, reaching 50 caps – and captaining Wales for the first time – aged just 22.

The return to action of another 19-year-old centre-back Maizie Davies after a year out with injury was another significant plus for Wales at the end of the group stage.

“We’ve lost some huge characters, some really good players (after Euro 2025),” Holland said.

“I think we had some big players (in the previous campaign), but I think we’ve still got some very big players and we’ve got some great youngsters as well.”