Wales Women’s Team Aims to Break Losing Streak Under Rhian Wilkinson

Rhian Wilkinson assumed leadership of the Wales women’s football team in February 2024.

Upcoming Friendly: South Korea vs. Wales
Venue: Ciudad Deportiva Fundacion, Malaga
Date: Friday, 28 November
Kick-off: 18:00 GMT

Coverage: Available on BBC iPlayer and BBC Radio Wales Extra, AM, online, and Cymru Fyw.

Wilkinson expressed that the team’s current losing streak is a burden they are eager to shed, asserting her commitment to elevating standards throughout 2025. The 43-year-old coach guided Wales to their inaugural major tournament this year; however, they faced significant defeats against the Netherlands, France, and England during Euro 2025.

As Wales prepares for a friendly double-header against South Korea and Switzerland in Spain, they enter the matches with a troubling streak of seven consecutive losses—marking their worst stretch since a series of twelve defeats from September 1993 to March 1996.

“We are not satisfied with our current performance. It is frustrating, and it feels like a burden we do not wish to carry,” Wilkinson stated.

“Naturally, we want to break this streak. However, this year has included participation in the Euros, Nations League A, and encounters with top-tier opposition. This team is clearly on a journey, which is rarely a straight path; it involves continual improvement, and we have encountered minor setbacks along the way.”

After losing to Australia and Poland in October, Wales now finds itself winless in 11 matches since a 1-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland on December 3 of the previous year—an important win that secured their place at the Euros. This marks their longest winless streak in over two decades. While Wilkinson is keen to secure a victory, she insists that the challenges faced in 2025 will ultimately benefit the team in the long run.

“I made several changes for the Poland match, which is always a gamble as a coach, but it reflects the standards I now expect from my players and what they expect from themselves,” she added.

“This year has been fundamentally about advancing the team’s capabilities. Although the pursuit of wins is crucial, I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything. Each step is vital and will undoubtedly prepare us even better for 2026.”

Wales will face South Korea for the first time on Friday, 28 November in Malaga, followed by a match against Switzerland in Jerez on Tuesday, 2 December.