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Wales captain Angharad James says a first Women's World Cup is constantly on her mind as her side open a play-off semi-final first leg in Albania on Friday, with the winners potentially facing Norway — coached by ex-Wales boss Gemma Grainger — for a place in Brazil.

What is a key fact in this story? (1)

**Angharad James** says the Women's World Cup is "always in the back of my mind" as Wales prepare for Friday's play-off semi-final first leg against Albania at Loro Borici Stadium, Shkoder (17:00 BST).

What is a key fact in this story? (2)

**Wales** face a two-legged semi-final against Albania — who they beat twice in the group phase — with the return leg at Parc y Scarlets next Tuesday, before a probable play-off final in December against Norway or Romania.

Wales Women Open World Cup Play-Offs in Albania — SkimNews

By BBC Sport · Summarized & edited by Kapil Samant · 2026-10-09

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Angharad James says the Women's World Cup is "always in the back of my mind" as Wales prepare for Friday's play-off semi-final first leg against Albania at Loro Borici Stadium, Shkoder (17:00 BST).
Wales face a two-legged semi-final against Albania — who they beat twice in the group phase — with the return leg at Parc y Scarlets next Tuesday, before a probable play-off final in December against Norway or Romania.
James, a 32-year-old Seattle Reign midfielder, was central to Wales qualifying for Euro 2025 and topped Group B4 in World Cup qualifying, though League B sides have no direct path to the tournament.
Norway, ranked 14th in the world and now managed by former Wales boss Gemma Grainger — who stepped down in January 2024 after coming close to qualifying for the 2023 World Cup — would likely be the final-round opponent.
James criticised the qualification structure: eight European play-off winners exist but only seven go straight to Brazil, with the lowest-ranked winner forced into inter-confederation play-offs in February.
Rhian Wilkinson's squad is depleted, yet James insists Wales have the "strength and depth" to become the first Welsh side to reach a Women's World Cup.

Why it matters: A Women's World Cup appearance would be a first in Welsh football history, but the path is unusually punishing: even winning the European play-off may not be enough, with only seven of eight play-off winners qualifying automatically for Brazil and the eighth forced into a February inter-confederation play-off. A probable final against Norway — led by Gemma Grainger, the coach who nearly took Wales to the 2023 World Cup — turns the route into a personal as well as sporting test.