Jess Fishlock Confirmed to Start for Wales, Future Discussions Postponed

The Wales manager, Rhian Wilkinson, has stated that discussions regarding Jess Fishlock’s future with the national team are not appropriate at this time. This announcement comes as Wilkinson confirmed that the midfielder will be in the starting lineup for Tuesday’s Euro 2025 play-off against Slovakia. The crucial Euro 2025 Qualifying Round One play-off second leg between Wales and Slovakia is scheduled for Tuesday, 29 October, at the Cardiff City Stadium, with kick-off at 19:15 GMT. Coverage will be available live on BBC One Wales, iPlayer, BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, the BBC Sport website and app, alongside live text commentary. Highlights will be shown on S4C and later on demand. Wilkinson revealed that Fishlock, 37, will start the play-off semi-final second leg. Fishlock had previously indicated in April that the current qualifying campaign would “probably” mark her final attempt to reach a major tournament. Having returned from injury as a substitute in Friday’s 2-1 first-leg defeat in Slovakia, Fishlock’s starting position was confirmed. However, when Fishlock was questioned about whether her future prospects would be on her mind before the game, Wilkinson intervened. “I think it’s an obvious question to ask, of course, of our legendary players when they are getting to an age that’s closer to retirement than their debut,” Wilkinson said. She continued, “Jess Fishlock is one of the best players to ever play for Wales, so to ask her when that career will end, especially when these games are coming up… I am just going to take that off the table for her because it’s a critical game.” Wilkinson further elaborated, “Jess could play well into her forties. It is a personal decision when you stop playing, a very personal one – it involves the player and also their family. It takes a lot of context, so I don’t think it’s fair to answer that right now because we have such an important game [on Tuesday].” The inclusion of Fishlock, who holds the records as Wales’ most capped player and record goalscorer, provides a significant boost for Wilkinson’s squad as they aim to recover from their unexpected loss in Slovakia. The Seattle Reign player had been sidelined since 6 September due to a leg injury before making her return as a 64th-minute substitute in Poprad. Midfielder Jess Fishlock has scored 45 goals in 155 appearances for Wales. “Injuries are part of this game,” Fishlock said. She added, “This time it was terrible timing, but the Reign and Wales have been working really hard behind the scenes and I have been working really hard on the grass.” Fishlock expressed her readiness, stating, “I am ready as ever, as always, to do what I can for this country, as I have done for the last almost 20 years now. I am super-excited tomorrow, I can’t wait.” During the first leg in Slovakia, Fishlock’s pass led to a late goal by fellow substitute Ffion Morgan, offering Wales renewed hope for the return fixture. The victors of Tuesday’s match in Cardiff are anticipated to face the Republic of Ireland – who secured a 6-0 win against Georgia in their first leg – in a play-off final, with the ultimate winner qualifying for Euro 2025. Wales has never before qualified for a women’s major tournament. “We know we have to get to a major tournament but we have to focus on what we are doing right now,” Fishlock said. Reflecting on her commitment, Fishlock stated, “For me personally, anything that is done playing for Wales, always means the most. Whether it be [Slovakia], whether it be my first cap, whether it be in Pinatar, playing for Wales for me just means the most.” She concluded, “Each game I have always taken as if it was my first and as if it was my last, because you should never take it for granted and I never will.”