Jess Fishlock Joins Wales Coaching Staff
Jess Fishlock, Wales' record appearance maker and top goalscorer with 166 senior caps and 48 goals, will join Rhian Wilkinson's coaching team for part of Wales' international camp in March before returning to club duties with Seattle Reign.
The 39-year-old Wales legend retired from international football in October but signed a new one-year contract with National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club Seattle Reign the following month.
Fishlock will serve as a technical assistant for Wales' opening 2027 World Cup qualifying match against the Czech Republic on Tuesday, 3 March. However, she will miss the second Group B1 fixture against Montenegro in Llanelli four days later due to Seattle Reign's preparations for the upcoming NWSL season.
"She's obviously in pre-season with Seattle so a big thank you to Seattle and to her coach Laura Harvey for allowing us to borrow her for the front end of this campaign," said Wales head coach Rhian Wilkinson.
"She's coming in as a technical assistant. I know as a former player who became a coach, it's quite a leap off a cliff. When the players have days off, you do not. Your day starts a lot earlier and ends a lot later.
Jess is still a player for Seattle and she's just retired from the national team so she will be eased into it. In that way, it's slightly different than the other technical staff, but she will be putting in a shift for sure."
Wilkinson confirmed that she wanted Fishlock involved in the March camp, emphasizing the value of having former players supporting the current squad.
Fishlock's former teammate Kayleigh Barton, who has been working with Wales' under-17 squad after retiring following Euro 2025, will also assist with the senior team.
Support from Former Players and Future Prospects
"These are women who have given everything for their country and as our young players come through now, I think having the support of those players around the environment is huge," Wilkinson added.
"Equally, Jess needs to see a little bit behind the curtain so she can make her decisions about what she might want to do in the future, if she ever retires!"
The Czech Republic match, held in Uherske Hradiste, marks Wales' first competitive fixture since their historic appearance at Euro 2025, the nation's inaugural women's major tournament.
Impact of Fishlock's Retirement on Wales' World Cup Campaign
Wales' ambitions to qualify for their first World Cup have been challenged by the loss of Fishlock, widely regarded as the greatest female player in Welsh football history. Despite this, Wilkinson respects Fishlock's decision to retire from international football.
"Listen, Jess is one of those players that could play for many more years and she knew that when she retired," Wilkinson said.
"It's painful to know that she could probably still step on the pitch, but equally I think it was a great decision that she's made when she's healthy, strong and still fully capable to be like 'OK, I want to focus on my club football at this point'.
We had really good conversations and Jess is an all-in type person so she wouldn't say 'oh I'm good to go for another year'. In her mind if she's good to go, she's saying yes to a cycle, whether that's two or four years, and I don't think she felt like she had the energy to do that."
Wales' World Cup Qualifying Outlook and Squad Updates
Wales begin their World Cup qualification knowing automatic qualification is not possible as they compete in League B. Provided they avoid finishing bottom of their group, which includes Albania, they will advance to a play-off stage, potentially involving multiple rounds, to secure a spot at the tournament in Brazil.
Wilkinson has recalled Newcastle United player Lois Joel, who is fit again, for the first two group matches. However, midfielder Laura Hughes will miss out due to injury.
Hughes, who previously represented Australia, made her Wales debut in the friendly victory over Switzerland in December.
"I don't know the exact nature of Laura's injury but I expect her back for the double-header against Albania in April," Wilkinson said.
There are three uncapped players in the squad: goalkeeper Poppy Soper and Plymouth Argyle duo Olivia Francis and Phoebie Poole.
Wales Squad
Olivia Clark (Leicester City), Safia Middleton-Patel (Manchester United), Poppy Soper (Rugby Borough), Ceri Holland (Liverpool), Gwen Zimmerman (Eclipse Select), Ella Powell (Bristol City), Rhiannon Roberts (Sunderland), Hayley Ladd (Everton), Gemma Evans (Liverpool), Charlie Estcourt (Portsmouth), Lily Woodham (Liverpool), Esther Morgan (Bristol City), Sophie Ingle (Bristol City), Mia Ross (Charlton Athletic), Angharad James (Seattle Reign), Lois Joel (Newcastle United), Carrie Jones (IFK Norrkoping), Tianna Teisar (Plymouth Argyle – on loan from Bristol City), Mared Griffiths (Sunderland - on loan from Manchester United), Olivia Francis (Plymouth Argyle), Phoebie Poole (Plymouth Argyle), Hannah Cain (Leicester City), Rachel Rowe (Nottingham Forest), Ffion Morgan (West Ham United), Elise Hughes (Crystal Palace), Mary McAteer (Charlton Athletic).
