Elise Hughes urges focus on Albania as Wales eye World Cup place
October 11, 2026 19:00
Wales forward Elise Hughes says the prospect of reaching next summer's World Cup in Brazil would fulfil a lifelong ambition, but she stressed the team's attention is on Tuesday's play-off second leg against Albania in Llanelli.
Rhian Wilkinson's side take a 1-0 lead into the return after edging the first leg in Shkoder; a draw in the second leg would be enough to send Wales through to the next stage of qualifying.
Hughes said: "When you're a kid, it doesn't get bigger than that. You dream and you're in the garden thinking of the World Cup and you're at your grassroots team thinking of the World Cup. Now this group has a chance to do it and that is the most important thing for the group here and now. But to do that, we've got to win the game on Tuesday. This is the most important game to date because it's next."
KEY CONTEXT
Head coach Rhian Wilkinson acknowledged the side will need to improve after an unconvincing 1-0 first-leg victory in Shkoder. "There's always room for improvement," Sunderland's Hughes told BBC Sport Wales. "We've won games by many more goals and always had room for improvement. We knew they're a good side and what they're going to bring [but] we let them into the game. It's all about focus and getting the result."
Hughes has played for Charlton Athletic and Crystal Palace.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
If Wales overcome Albania, they will face either Norway or Romania in a two-legged play-off final in December. Even if Wales win that play-off final they could face a potential inter-confederation play-off in February.