Jess Fishlock Declared Fit for Euro Play-off Final

Jess Fishlock scored her 46th goal for Wales last month during a match against Slovakia. The first leg of the Euro 2025 qualifying play-off final between Wales and the Republic of Ireland is scheduled for Friday, 29 November, with a 19:15 GMT kick-off at Cardiff City Stadium. Coverage will be broadcast live on BBC One Wales, iPlayer, BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, the BBC Sport website and app, and will include live text commentary. Highlights will be available on S4C and later on demand. Rhian Wilkinson has stated that Jess Fishlock is fully fit for Wales’ Euro 2025 play-off final against the Republic of Ireland, adding that the midfielder should serve as an inspiration for her teammates. Fishlock has been included in the 26-player squad selected by Wilkinson for the play-off matches. The initial leg will take place in Cardiff on Friday, 29 November, followed by the second leg in Dublin four days afterward. The 37-year-old Fishlock delivered a notable performance last month, contributing to Wales’ comeback in their play-off semi-final against Slovakia, despite having been sidelined for seven weeks due to an injury. Wilkinson highlighted the 156-cap veteran as an exemplary figure for the squad, as Wales aims to secure qualification for a major tournament for the first time. The Wales boss stated, “Every time Jess has earned a cap for Wales, it’s been a special one for her. She never lets her jersey be wasted. I think that’s where we can all learn – to represent your country is a privilege above all others. I remember someone saying when I played for Canada that the only people who can wear the [national] emblem across their heart are the military to protect and our athletes to inspire, and Jess takes that very seriously.” Fishlock had been considered a doubt for Wales’ play-off matches against Slovakia after sustaining a leg injury while playing for her club, Seattle Reign, in early September. However, she made her return as a substitute in the first leg, assisting a late goal by Ffion Morgan, which limited Wilkinson’s team to a 2-1 defeat despite a subpar performance in Poprad. Four days later, Fishlock started the second leg, scoring the goal that forced the tie into extra time and completing the full 120 minutes, despite visible fitness challenges. Wilkinson further commented, “Jess is a phenomenal player for club and always has been. She is adored in Seattle and really appreciated across the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League). But she plays [on] a whole different level when she plays for Wales because she expects that pressure and she has lived with it for a long time. I think that’s where our players can learn from her. These are opportunities that can’t be missed, as in moments to wear the dragon across your heart. It can almost become just something that you do, but Jess has never let that happen.” Fishlock has not participated in a match since the second Slovakia game, which Wales won 2-0 thanks to Ceri Holland’s extra-time goal, as her club season has concluded. Nevertheless, Wilkinson confirmed that Fishlock, described as a “phenomenal athlete,” is “fully fit and training well” in anticipation of the play-off final, where the winning team will secure a spot in next year’s European Championship in Switzerland. The squad selected for the Slovakia games features only one alteration: Sunderland midfielder Ellen Jones has been called up for the first time since July, replacing Charlotte Lee, who will instead join the Wales Under-19s. The squad includes uncapped players Mared Griffiths and Tianna Teisar, while Sophie Ingle, Elise Hughes, and Esther Morgan continue to be unavailable due to long-term injuries. Over 13,000 tickets have been sold for the initial play-off leg at Cardiff City Stadium. Wales aims to surpass its previous record attendance for a home women’s international match, which stands at 15,200. The Republic of Ireland holds a Fifa world ranking of 24th, five positions above Wales. They decisively defeated Georgia 9-0 on aggregate in their play-off semi-final. The team is seeking to qualify for only their second major championship, having previously participated in the 2023 World Cup. Wilkinson commented, “We have both earned the right to be here and to be vying against each other for this incredible opportunity. This is a team we know a lot about. We have had wins against them and they have had wins against us. I think it will be quite evenly matched. They have beaten France recently, they cruised their last play-off. We know we are going to have to show up from minute one. We can’t have a dip like we had against Slovakia.” The squad comprises: Olivia Clark (FC Twente), Laura O’Sullivan-Jones (Gwalia United), Safia Middleton-Patel (Manchester United), Rhiannon Roberts (Real Betis), Josie Green (Crystal Palace), Charlie Estcourt (DC Power), Hayley Ladd (Manchester United), Gemma Evans (Liverpool), Mayzee Davies (Liverpool Feds – Dual contract with Manchester United), Lily Woodham (Crystal Palace – On loan from Seattle Reign), Ella Powell (Bristol City), Anna Filbey (Watford), Alice Griffiths (Southampton), Angharad James (Seattle Reign), Lois Joel (Newcastle United), Rachel Rowe (Southampton), Carrie Jones (IFK Norrköping), Ellen Jones (Sunderland), Ffion Morgan (Bristol City), Jess Fishlock (Seattle Reign), Ceri Holland (Liverpool), Kayleigh Barton (Charlton Athletic), Mary McAteer (Sunderland), Mared Griffiths (Manchester United), Tianna Teisar (Bristol City), Hannah Cain (Leicester City).