Experienced defender Hayley Ladd is missing from Rhian Wilkinson’s 26-player Wales squad ahead of key 2027 World Cup qualifiers.

The Crystal Palace player has won over 100 caps for Wales and has been a key part of Wilkinson’s three-at-the-back formation for the past two years, but misses out due to injury.

Returning to the squad is Melbourne City midfielder Laura Hughes, who made her debut against Switzerland late last year.

Olivia Clark, Ceri Holland, and Lois Joel all provide a boost for Wilkinson, having returned from injury absences.

Teenagers Scarlett Hill and Elena Cole receive call ups after their impressive performances during the WU19 EURO qualifiers in April.

Wales take on Montenegro and Czechia next month, with the side looking to end the group stages in top spot of Group B1.

Cymru currently sit in second in the group, behind Czechia on goal difference, having beaten Albania home and away on the previous international break.

Wilkinson’s squad travel to Podgorica on Friday 5th June, before welcoming Czechia to the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday 9th June for what will most likely be a shootout for top spot in the group.

Wales have already secured a play-off spot, but finishing top of their group will give them a seeded route through the play-offs, the same path as when they qualified for last year’s European Championships in Switzerland.

Wales Squad

Olivia Clark (Leicester City)

Safia Middleton-Patel (Manchester United)

Poppy Soper (Rugby Borough)

Hannah Cain (Leicester City)

Elena Cole (AFC Bournemouth)

Mayzee Davies (Manchester City)

Charlie Estcourt (Portsmouth)

Gemma Evans (Unattached)

Mared Griffiths (Manchester United)

Scarlett Hill (Manchester United)

Ceri Holland (Liverpool)

Elise Hughes (Crystal PALACE)

Laura Hughes (Melbourne City)

Sophie Ingle (Bristol City)

Angharad James (Seattle Reign)

Lois Joel (Newcastle United)

Carrie Jones (IFK Norrköping)

Esther Morgan (Bristol City)

Ffion Morgan (West Ham United)

Phoebie Poole (Plymouth Argyle)

Ella Powell (Bristol City)

Rhiannon Roberts (Sunderland)

Mia Ross (Charlton Athletic)

Rachel Rowe (Nottingham Forest)

Tianna Teisar (Unattached)

Lily Woodham (Liverpool)

---

If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.

Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.

You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.