Midfielder Mia Ross says Rhian Wilkinson’s new contract is good news for Wales as they prepare for Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro and the Czech Republic.
Wales face Montenegro in Pogdorica on Friday (17:00 BST) before taking on the Czechs next Tuesday (18:00 BST) at Cardiff City Stadium in a game which will decide who finishes first in Group B1.
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They are Wales’ first fixtures since Wilkinson, whose side are aiming to reach a first Women’s World Cup in 2027, agreed to stay on as head coach until 2029.
“I think she’s been great since she’s come in,” said Charlton Athletic’s Ross, who was brought into the Wales fold by Wilkinson last year.
“Obviously she came in a period where I wasn’t here, but a lot of the girls always speak so highly of her.
“She took the girls to the Euros. Obviously we didn’t get the results we wanted but I think that we just keep progressing and progressing, and I think she’s the person and the type of manager to keep us pushing forwards 100%.”
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Wilkinson guided Wales to Euro 2025 in Switzerland – the first major women’s tournament in their history – courtesy of a play-off final win over the Republic of Ireland.
The next target is next year’s World Cup in Brazil, with Wales fighting it out with the Czech Republic to top their group.
There is no automatic qualification place on offer because the sides are in League B, but the group winners will secure a more favourable path in the play-offs later this year.
Midfielder Mia Ross made her Wales debut in the friendly defeat to Poland in October 2025 [FAW]
“It’s definitely a long road and a long way to go, but who doesn’t want to be in a World Cup? Who doesn’t want to compete on the biggest stage?” said five-cap Ross.
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“[For now] I think it’s definitely one game at a time, making sure that we have a good performance against Montenegro, that we try to score as many goals as we can but also defend well too.
“We want to come out with a really solid performance to build momentum to the Czech Republic game.”
The WSL beckons
Mary McAteer (left) and Mia Ross (right) are team-mates for Charlton and Wales, although McAteer is not involed in this international window [Getty Images]
Ross, who can play in defence as well as midfield, has turned her attention to international duty having helped Charlton win promotion to the Women’s Super League (WSL) for the first time last weekend.
The 23-year-old came off the bench as the Addicks won a play-off against Leicester City to secure their place in the top flight.
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Despite Charlton’s joy, Ross had sympathy for Leicester, who included her Wales colleague Hannah Cain in their starting side.
Cain has since announced she will leave Leicester, but Wales goalkeeper Olivia Clark is staying on with the Foxes.
“To win a play-off game… it was a great experience, a great day,” said Ross.
“I managed to catch Hannah before the game. [I was] sorry for Leicester, for them to go down, but I’m sure they’ll come straight back up. They’re a good team and they’ve got a lot of good players.
“But obviously we’re here to focus on Wales and what’s to come over these next two games, so the focus is on that now.”
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