Wales will be without seven key players, including influential midfielder Ceri Holland, for their Women's World Cup play-off semi-final against Albania. Holland, Liverpool's 2025-26 player of the season, misses out due to injury, alongside Olivia Clark, Hayley Ladd, Laura Hughes, Ffion Morgan, Ella Powell and Mia Ross. Head coach Rhian Wilkinson has handed first senior call-ups to 18-year-olds Newcastle United forward Casi Gregson and Tottenham Hotspur wide player Heidi Hills.

Wales travel to Albania for the first leg on Friday, 9 October at Loro Borici Stadium, Shkoder, with the return in Llanetti four days later. The winners face either Norway or Romania in the play-off final in December, with potential inter-confederation play-offs early next year for a spot at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. Holland's absence is a significant blow, as she is arguably Wales' most important player since Jess Fishlock's retirement in 2025.

The loss of Leicester City's Clark leaves Safia Middleton-Patel as the only experienced goalkeeper in the squad. Wales remain unbeaten in their past eight internationals after ending a 12-game winless run with a friendly win over Switzerland in December 2025.