Jess Fishlock, widely regarded as Wales’ greatest female footballer, is set to join the national team’s staff as they begin their qualifying campaign for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, according to reports confirmed by the BBC.
The move, announced on Wednesday, will see Fishlock contribute to Rhian Wilkinson’s backroom team ahead of their first qualifier against the Czech Republic on February 22nd in Uherske Hradiste. Wilkinson expressed her hope that Fishlock’s presence will be invaluable for the team’s younger players, providing support and mentorship as they navigate the challenges of international competition.
“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 said. She similarly emphasized the importance of allowing Fishlock to explore potential coaching opportunities as she considers her future beyond playing. “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.”
Fishlock recently announced her retirement from international duty, bringing an end to a distinguished career with Wales. Wilkinson acknowledged the difficulty of losing a player of Fishlock’s caliber, stating, “Jess is one of those players that could play for many more years and she knew that when she retired.” However, she also respected Fishlock’s decision to prioritize her club football and focus on maintaining her physical and mental well-being.
“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’,” Wilkinson explained. She revealed that Fishlock was resolute in her decision, unwilling to commit to a qualification cycle unless she could fully dedicate herself to it. “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 are aiming to build on their historic appearance at Euro 2025 – their first ever major women’s tournament – and secure a place at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. Wilkinson has described the Brazil bid as a key focus for the team, emphasizing a fully committed approach to qualifying. The Czech Republic match marks the beginning of that journey.
