Hundreds wave off Wales as they head to the Euros
Hundreds of people gathered at Cardiff Airport today (Sunday, June 21) to wave off Wales as they flew to Portugal for their training camp ahead of the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 tournament.
The Euros, which will be held in Switzerland next month, will be the squad's first major tournament.
Wales kick-off their campaign against the Netherlands in Lucerne on July 5.
Their remaining two games are in St Gallen with France on July 9 and against reigning European champions England on July 13.
Football fans of all ages cheered Rhian Wilkinson's squad on at the airport just days after the selected 23 players were announced on the top of Yr Wyddfa, Wales' highest mountain.
Speaking amongst the crowds ahead of the journey to Switzerland, Jess Fishlock - former Wales Captain and all time highest goal scorer - said: "It's huge, it's so nice that they [the fans] came out and hopefully we are an inspiration for them and their future and it shows how much support we have from the nation.
"I'm super excited, I think today it has finally hit home what we are doing and I just can't wait to get there.
"This is the best moment of my career, no doubt about that, and I am just excited to go on the big stage with my Welsh girls."
Of those announced in the squad on Monday was Sophie Ingle who has been out since September with an injury.
The 33-year-old damaged her anterior cruciate ligament whilst playing for Chelsea in a pre-season friendly.
Ingle who has won 141 caps and led Wales 83 times from 2015 to 2024 before stepping down from the role – has been in a race against time to make next month's Euros in Switzerland.
Last month Wilkinson rated the former Wales captain as '50-50' to play at the Euros, saying she 'wanted her back but not at the risk of Sophie Ingle's knee'.
Wilkinson's 23-strong squad for Wales' first major tournament includes a few surprises.
Defender Rhiannon Roberts is included after injury ruled her out of Nations League action last month, and veteran forward Jess Fishlock is the star name in a squad skippered by her Seattle Reign team-mate Angharad James.
The former Everton and Tottenham midfielder is one of four centurions in the squad, alongside Fishlock, Ingle and Hayley Ladd.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Soffia Kelly, Manchester City defender Mayzee Davies, Bristol City forward Tianna Teisar and Manchester United striker Mared Griffiths miss out after being in the squad for last month's Nations League games against Denmark and Italy.
The 18-year-old Davies suffered a rupture to her ACL against Denmark and faces a considerable spell on the sidelines.
Wales squad: O Clark (Leicester), S Middleton-Patel (Man Utd), P Soper (unattached), C Estcourt (DC Power), G Evans (Liverpool), J Green (C Palace), H Ladd (Everton), E Morgan (Sheff Utd), E Powell (Bristol City), R Roberts (unattached), L Woodham (Seattle Reign), A Griffiths (unattached), J Fishlock (Seattle Reign), C Holland (Liverpool), S Ingle (unattached), A James (Seattle Reign), L Joel (Newcastle), R Rowe (Southampton), K Barton (unattached), H Cain (Leicester), E Hughes (C Palace), C Jones (IFK Norrkoping), F Morgan (Bristol City).
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