Clark, Holland and Hughes named in Wales squad

Image source, FAW

• Published27 May 2026, 10:00 BST

Ceri Holland, Olivia Clark and Laura Hughes have been named in the Wales squad for next month's Women's World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro and the Czech Republic, but Hayley Ladd misses out through injury.

The influential Holland withdrew from Wales' April double-header against Albania but is back having returned to action with Liverpool in the closing weeks of the Women's Super League season.

Leicester City goalkeeper Clark also featured in the closing stages of the 2025-26 league campaign after recovering from an ankle problem suffered while on Wales duty in February.

Melbourne City midfielder Hughes is in the Wales squad for just the second time having switched allegiances from Australia last December, while there is also a place for Manchester United teenager Scarlett Hill.

Hughes, 24, is included having missed Wales' previous two camps through injury, but head coach Rhian Wilkinson will be without the experience of Ladd for the decisive games in Group B1 because of what she called a "knock".

"I think it's an exciting squad - we are really building our depth with Wales," Wilkinson said.

"We can't have a squad that names itself and we are seeing that this one."

Wales face Montenegro in Podgorica on Friday, 5 June before taking on the Czech Republic at the Cardiff City Stadium four days later.

Wales are currently second in the group, behind the Czechs on goal difference, having taken 10 points from their four qualifiers so far.

Victories in the final two games would mean Wales finish top and therefore secure a more favourable draw in the play-offs later this year.

Image source, FAW

Uncapped Bournemouth midfielder Elena Cole, 19, is called up to the senior squad after impressing for Wales Under-19s alongside 18-year-old defender Hill, who has two senior caps.

Like Holland, Newcastle United defender Lois Joel is involved after withdrawing from the Albania games through injury.

Attacking midfielder Carrie Jones will reach 50 Wales caps should she play in both June fixtures.

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Albania display leads to a chat with every player

Wilkinson revealed she has spoken to every member of her squad following the April international break, when Wales thrashed Albania in Wrexham before scrapping their way to a 1-0 win in the return fixture four days later.

"I think last camp we had one of our best camps off the field and in our first game and then we ended it with a performance that I didn't think reflected who this team is," Wilkinson said.

"So I've had one-on-ones with every player through this break, just to sit with them on the phone and talk about how the difference with those top, top teams is that when they have an off-day, they don't drop that far.

"We reverted to a type of football that I don't think we've ever played and that was a frustration for me, but equally the players were so frustrated with themselves.

"We've got two very important games around the corner where we've got to make sure that we deliver two performances that we can be proud of."

If Wales and the Czech Republic finish level on points, the winners of the group would be decided by head-to-head records.

If they were still level, goal difference would be the next deciding factor, followed by goals scored, away goals scored, number of wins in the group and number of away wins in the group.

If there was still no winner, the final positions in the group would be decided by disciplinary points and then overall phase rankings in the 2025 Women's Nations League.

Wales squad

Olivia Clark (Leicester City), Safia Middleton-Patel (Manchester United), Poppy Soper (Rugby Borough), Mayzee Davies (Manchester City), Charlie Estcourt (Portsmouth), Gemma Evans (unattached), Scarlett Hill (Manchester United), Lois Joel (Newcastle United), Esther Morgan (Bristol City), Ella Powell (Bristol City), Rhiannon Roberts (Sunderland), Lily Woodham (Liverpool), Laura Hughes (Melbourne City), Sophie Ingle (Bristol City), Angharad James (Seattle Reign), Elena Cole (AFC Bournemouth), Carrie Jones (IFK Norrkoping), Ceri Holland (Liverpool), Ffion Morgan (West Ham United), Mia Ross (Charlton Athletic), Rachel Rowe (Nottingham Forest), Tianna Teisar (unattached), Mared Griffiths (Manchester United), Hannah Cain (Leicester City), Elise Hughes (Crystal Palace), Phoebie Poole (Plymouth Argyle).

Related topics

• Football
• Welsh Football
• Women's Football
• Wales Sport
• Wales Women's Football Team