Euros could be 'breakthrough moment' for Welsh women

A former Wales captain has hailed the country qualifying for a first major tournament in their history as a "breakthrough moment" for women in Wales.

Laura McAllister, who is now a Uefa vice-president, has seen the team go "so close so many times" both as an ambassador and as a player.

She told she told Behnaz Akhgar on BBC Radio Wales you "can't underestimate how significant this is" as Wales prepare to play at the Women's Euro 2025 tournament on Saturday.

McAllister said the squad was full of "fabulous role models" and they had every chance of getting through the group stage despite a tough draw.

McAllister started her Wales career at a time when it was standard practice for the men's kit to be handed over to the women's team for their international fixtures.

She was part of the team that tried to qualify for the 1995 UEFA Women's Championship eventually finishing with zero points in the group.

"We were a good side but not good enough to get over the line," she said.

Thirty years on and the outlook is much different. McAllister sees this tournament as having a "bigger purpose" than the football.

"You can't underestimate how significant this is. Not just for Welsh women's football but for women in Wales generally because this team is full of role models," she said.

McAllister credits the team for being "articulate, professional and passionate" people off the pitch as well as on it.

Players like Sophie Ingle, Angharad James and "our icon Jess Fishlock" have all "been through the bad times as well", according to McAllister, which has made qualifying for the Euros all the more special.

"Things have improved a lot and that's reflected in the progress we've made," she added.

Wales' players have said they are happy to be written off at the tournament following the tough draw.

They will come up against defending champions England and formidable opponents in France and the Netherlands.

McAllister said she was "not naive" adding: "We're up against three teams who could win the tournament.

"But we know that if we play to the best of our ability and get a bit of luck we can get through.

"No-one expects us to get through other than us," she added.

A big part of this will be the support from the Red Wall or Wal Goch.

Head coach Rhian Wilkinson previously said Wales are "culturally behind" with fans not showing the same fervour as they do for the men's side.

But McAllister said she hoped the tournament would inspire people to "come back and watch Wales every time they're away".

"We've broken records here. The team know what it's like to have that support behind them. But away from home it means even more."

When the whistle goes in Lucerne at 17:00 BST it will be down to the players to make the difference.

McAllister said the squad was "so excited" and people will be "so impressed to see what Wales is all about".

But this tournament is about more than that. McAllister wants the successes to ripple through Wales for years to come.

"When we look back this will be a landmark moment for women in society," she added.