Image source, FAWImage caption, Angharad James is set to win her 146th cap in Albania on Friday
ByGareth VincentBBC Sport Wales, AtShkoder, Albania- Published1 hour ago
Captain Angharad James says the Women's World Cup is always on her mind as Wales prepare for Friday's play-off semi-final first leg in Albania.
Wales' women look to take a step closer to a first World Cup appearance in the nation's history as they face the Albanians in Shkoder.
Rhian Wilkinson's side will have home advantage in next Tuesday's return leg at Parc y Scarlets with the winners facing either Norway or Romania in a two-legged play-off final in December.
Even if they come through both play-off rounds, Wales may then have to negotiate inter-confederation play-offs in February to book their place at next year's tournament in Brazil.
Yet James, 32, says she is already thinking about the idea of representing Wales at the World Cup during "every training session, every day".
"It's always in the back of my mind," the Seattle Reign midfielder added.
Albania v Wales
Women's World Cup qualifying play-off semi-final
Friday, 9 October at 17:00 BST
Loro Borici Stadium, Shkoder
Watch on iPlayerListen on SoundsLive on BBC iPlayer, BBC Two Wales, BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales Extra, Radio Cymru, BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary.
"I've always wanted to play in a World Cup and I think if you ask the majority of the group, the way we turn up and train and play every day for [our] club is for moments like this with our national team.
"Every day I'll make sure I do extras. I do everything that I can to best prepare myself and the team to reach the first World Cup."
James was a central part of the squad who ended Wales' wait for a women's major championship appearance by qualifying for Euro 2025.
As they look to make it two tournaments in succession, Wilkinson's players did all they could during the group stage of World Cup qualifying by topping Group B4.
But with no automatic qualification route available to teams in League B, Wales face a demanding play-off process which begins in Albania.
Even with their squad depleted by injury, Wales will expect to overcome the Albanians, who they beat twice in the group phase.
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Figure caption,I dream of playing at a World Cup every day - James
But a probable play-off final against Norway – with the second leg away from home – would be a far sterner challenge.
Even so, James says Wales have the "strength and depth" required to carry them to a World Cup.
"We know it's not an easy road ahead of us," she added.
"It's a big challenge. We've got a big game [in Albania], we've got big games ahead of us and the road is never easy.
"But it's one that I truly believe this group can get through. With the help of the staff and the whole squad, we can achieve big things and reaching the World Cup would be the biggest honour."
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Hoping to see qualification process changed
Should they overcome Albania – and Norway beat Romania - Wales will turn their attention to a reunion with Gemma Grainger.
The Englishwoman, who came close to guiding Wales to the 2023 World Cup, stepped down as Welsh boss in January 2024 to take charge of Norway.
Upsetting Grainger's Norway, who are ranked 14th in the world, would be a major coup for Wales – and yet at this stage, Wilkinson's squad do not know if that would be enough to seal a World Cup place.
There will be eight European play-off winners, with seven progressing straight to Brazil and one – the lowest-ranked nation from the group stage of qualifying – going into inter-confederation play-offs next February.
James says she would like to see the qualification process changed in the future.
"You play a final and you could win the final and still not reach the World Cup," she said.
"So as players, do you celebrate that moment, do you not? It's mixed emotions, but hopefully the pathway will change in the near future."
