In both men’s and women’s football, players are expected to progress through a clear pathway before reaching the senior national team.
Young talents typically move through various age-group sides, gaining experience at international level while continuing their development.
These teams provide an important bridge between youth football and the senior game, helping players prepare for the demands of representing their country at the highest level.
However, when it comes to Wales, the national women’s team lacks a solid pathway.
While there are squads for youth players, Wales women do not have an under-21 or under-23 squad, while direct competitors such as England and Scotland, do have an under-23 squad.
Calls Grow for Under-21 and Under-23 Teams
The lack of an under-21 or under-23 side has become a growing talking point in recent years, particularly as Wales women continue to make progress on the international stage.
Without these age groups, players can find themselves facing a significant gap between youth football and the senior team.
While some talents are able to make the step up, others may miss out on valuable international experience during a crucial stage of their development.
As a result, there are concerns that promising players could struggle to gain the exposure and competitive opportunities needed to reach their full potential.
The mother of Wales squad goalkeeper Soffia Kelly is among those advocating for investment in a “sustainable pathway” for young Welsh players in the women’s game.
“There’s no pathway [in Wales] but Scotland and England have. The boys have got it. European countries have got it. Why have we not got it?” asked Soraya Kelly.
“It’s not rocket science. We just want to have equal opportunities as our boys in Wales. With everything that’s going on with women’s football, this should be a given.”
Why the Missing Link Matters
The discussion comes at a time when the Wales women’s team is enjoying one of the most successful periods in its history.
Following their historic qualification for Euro 2025, where Wales competed at their first major tournament and gained invaluable experience on the international stage, attention has increasingly turned towards ensuring the next generation of players have the opportunities needed to build on that progress.
While a number of young talents have successfully made the jump from under-19 level to the senior squad, not every player is ready to make that step at the age of 19.
Injuries can also play a significant role in a player’s development. A young footballer who suffers a long-term injury could miss crucial months or even years of international football, and by the time they return, they may have aged out of the youth system without having had the opportunity to gain senior experience.
An under-21 or under-23 side would help bridge that gap, providing players with additional opportunities to develop, regain form after injury and remain involved in the international set-up before making the step up to senior football.
“It [under-23s] is a bridge to the seniors,” Kelly explained.
“So [without it] you go to the 19’s and if you’re not involved in the seniors, you haven’t got much of a chance then of going anywhere.”
She also claimed that some talented players have already been lost from the system because there is no age-group team beyond under-19 level, while others question whether pursuing international football is worthwhile if there is no clear route forward.
“These talented girls, where can they go? It’s not acceptable. It’s really not.” Kelly added.
Building on Wales’ Recent Success
After reaching Euro 2025, Rhian Wilkinson’s side have shown that they are capable of competing with some of Europe’s strongest nations.
More recently, Wales finished top of their Women’s World Cup qualifying group, earning a place in the play-offs where they will hope to secure qualification for their first-ever Women’s World Cup.
The campaign also secured promotion to League A of the UEFA Women’s Nations League and marked another significant step forward for the national team.
However, continued progress at senior level must be matched by investment in the next generation.
With Wales aiming to establish themselves as regular contenders at major tournaments, creating an under-21 or under-23 side is no longer a luxury, but a necessity.
Providing a clear pathway from youth football to the senior squad could prove vital in ensuring Welsh women’s football continues to grow and build on its recent success for years to come.
