FROM LLANELLI TO LUCERNE: HISTORY AWAITS CYMRU

Cymru are travelling to their first major tournament. Image by Ashley Crowden, official FAW photographer

There was a moment, just as the final whistle blew, when it felt like time stopped.

A beat of silence. A collective breath. Then reality settled in. Cymru had done it. Qualified for their first ever major tournament.

We witnessed history.

From the stands. From the pubs. From our homes. Wherever we cheered from, it was an unforgettable moment.

The UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 called our name.

Decades in the making, this landmark moment was built on grit, heartbreak and unrelenting determination. It’s a moment to celebrate.

But we can’t ignore the history that came before us. This triumph carries the weight of every player who’s ever pulled on the red shirt, often in front of empty stands, with limited support, but the same unwavering amount of pride.

Let's take it back to the start.

In 1973, Cymru’s women’s national team didn’t have professional contracts. They didn’t even have a federation. What they did have was guts.

Just a group of trailblazers desperate to play the game they loved, just years after the FA’s 50-year ban on women’s football was lifted.

For two decades, they operated without support from the Football Association of Wales (FAW). No funding. No pathways. No media coverage. But they still showed up. They played. And they represented Cymru with pride.

It wasn’t until 1993 that the FAW formally took the reins thanks to the persistence of legends like Laura McAllister, Michele Adams and Karen Jones. Even then, progress was slow, but the drive and determination of those players never faltered.

All their campaigning has paid off as undeniable progress has been made by 2025. Since 2021, investment in women’s and girls’ football has increased by 254% in Wales.

This investment has supported every level of football, from grassroots to professional teams, and the FAW is working tirelessly to ensure there are facilities to support every girl and woman who wants to play football.

Cymru celebrate. Image by FAW Photographer, Ashley Crowden.

The near misses and narrow margins.

The journey hasn’t been easy. Cymru’s history is littered with "what-ifs".

In 2003, the FAW withdrew Cymru from the Women's EURO 2005 qualification stage, due to the travel costs.

Then in 2018, they were in touching distance of a World Cup play-off, finishing second in their group.

In 2020, they missed out on a play-off spot for the 2021 Women's EURO by away goals.

And again in 2022, they beat Bosnia before pushing Switzerland to extra time in the final play-off, falling at the very last hurdle.

Each setback fuelled the next push. It strengthened their resilience and built the team we now know and love.

A new era, a new legacy.

When Rhian Wilkinson took over as manager, something shifted. The Canadian had a clear vision. Tactics. Bold changes. And a belief that Cymru could start making history.

Her first two matches? Ten goals scored, none conceded. Statement made.

In Wilkinson’s first 12 months, Cymru played 12 competitive matches, winning six, drawing four and losing just two, remaining unbeaten at home.

They topped their EURO qualifying group and then pursued an unforgettable play-off run.

Overcoming a first-leg deficit against Slovakia was the first hurdle. Then, a nail-biting 3-2 aggregate victory over the Republic of Ireland. The same team Cymru played against in their very first match in 1973. Talk about full circle.

All of these moments have led us to today. And as Wilkinson put it during the squad announcement press conference: “The qualification of this team, that journey started long before I arrived.”

The players writing the next chapter.

This squad isn’t just 23 randomly selected players. They are a team. They are game-changers. History markers.

You’ve got captain Angharad James, marshalling the midfield with a calm authority. Jess Fishlock, a veteran who’s seen it all and still plays like she got everything to prove.

Kayleigh Barton, a driving force up front. And the new stars like Carrie Jones and Esther Morgan, bringing pace and fresh energy.

Together, they’ve built a side that blends experience and youth, and they’re ready to take on every challenge that faces them.

More than just a tournament.

Cymru aren’t going to Switzerland to make up the numbers. They’re going to compete. To belong. Cymru have earned their place.

And they’re already making an impact. Attendances have tripled. Participation among girls is up 45% since 2021 (Our Wales: For Her Strategy Update 2024 - FAW). Football is no longer “just for the boys”, it’s for everyone.

So no matter what happens this summer, one thing’s already true: history has been made.

Young girls can now dream a little bigger. They’ve got role models with the same accents, same hometowns, same dreams.

This isn’t just for the class of 2025.

It’s for the team of ’73. For the players who car-shared their way to matches in oversized kits. For the women told football wasn’t for them.

It’s For Us. For Them. For Her.