Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales
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Wales are the lowest-ranked team at Euro 2025, their first major tournament
Wales fans are hoping their team can recover from their opening loss to the Netherlands when they face France on Wednesday.
In their first appearance at a women’s major tournament, Wales started their Euro 2025 campaign with a 3-0 defeat against the Dutch in Lucerne on Saturday.
Another formidable challenge awaits in St Gallen on Wednesday as Rhian Wilkinson’s side take on France, who beat reigning champions England in their opening fixture.
Defeat against Les Bleus could knock Wales out of the competition, even before their final group game against England on Sunday.
Thousands of Welsh fans have travelled to Switzerland, with an estimated 3,800 at the Allmend Stadium in Lucerne to watch their defeat by the Netherlands.
About 1,800 Wales fans are expected to be in attendance at Arena St Gallen for the game against France, which kicks-off at 20:00 BST.
Although Wales will once again be the underdogs, their travelling supporters in St Gallen remain optimistic.
“We’ve seen the French beat England, we’ve seen their tactics and we’ll be up for it,” said Jacqueline Davies, 64, from Aberdare.
“We’re mega excited. We couldn’t get to Lucerne but we’re here for the next two matches.”
Jacqueline has travelled to Switzerland with her friend, Deborah Pagington, who was also with her when Wales beat the Republic of Ireland to secure qualification for Euro 2025 last December.
“We’ve been to Dublin and saw all the home matches,” said Deborah, 63, from Newport.
“When we qualified, I was crying. That was an awesome night,” Jacqueline added.
That win in Dublin was an historic moment for Wales, who had never before qualified for the finals of a women’s major tournament.
It followed a journey that saw the national team not formally recognised by the Football Association of Wales (FAW) until 1993.
Jacqueline Davies (left) from Aberdare and Deborah Pagington from Newport plan to watch Wales’ final two group games against France and England
First Minister Eluned Morgan was in attendance as Wales faced the Netherlands in Lucerne, while men’s head coach Craig Bellamy is expected to be in St Gallen for the France match.
Officials are predicting an explosion in the women’s game in Wales, with more women and girls playing the sport as well as watching the national side.
“Since Wales qualified I’ve been really excited and every single night I’ve wished it was already time to go,” said Harriet, 10, from Cardiff, who has travelled to Switzerland with her family.
“We’ve only missed two games in the last four years,” said Rupert, her 12-year-old brother.
Their father James, 42, added: “It’s absolutely massive for women’s football.
“Harriet plays for Gwaelod Rangers, just down the road from us, and the numbers we’ve seen coming through there have been tremendous, a great increase. We’re massively proud of Wales.”
James, Harriet, Rupert, Barney and Kimberley, from Cardiff, are regulars at Wales games
Wales’ preparations were disrupted the day before the game when their team bus was involved in a crash on the way to training at Arena St Gallen.
The FAW said all players and staff who were on the bus were uninjured, though an ambulance was at the scene attending to the driver of another vehicle.
The Wales training session scheduled to be held at the stadium on Tuesday was cancelled as a result, though the squad trained later in the day at their team base in Weinfelden, about 30 minutes from St Gallen.
The mother of midfielder Ffion Morgan reassured supporters the players were unaffected by the incident when she spoke to Radio Wales Breakfast.
“Our other daughter was on Facetime to her when it happened so we knew instantaneously what had happened,” said Ruth Morgan.
“Nobody was hurt thankfully. The news was getting out and everybody has been a bit nervous, but everybody’s okay and they continued to train yesterday.”
Players were pictured smiling at training as they look to cause an upset against a France side ranked 10th in the world – 20 places above Wales.
“Having spoken to Ffion I know for a fact that’re going to give it a big go and make us all proud – and hopefully there’s no reason it won’t pay off with a win,” Ruth said, adding nerves may have played a part in Saturday’s defeat.
Fans will be hoping so, both in Switzerland and at home where further watch parties have been arranged by club’s and communities throughout Wales.
A week of taster football sessions have also been organised by the FAW to coincide with the game. Called ‘Chwarae For Her’ it is an attempt to increase participation on the back of the tournament.
FAW chair Alys Carlton said: “It’s incumbent on us to use the momentum of Euro 2025 as a platform to drive further investment into the Women’s game so that all girls in Wales have a chance – to represent their country on the world stage, but also just to play with their mates in the communities in which they live.”
Meanwhile, supporters in St Gallen will be treated by a free gig in the city’s Marktgasse area including music from Welsh singer Aleighcia Scott and Welsh Music prize winners Adwaith.
“The atmosphere has been so positive and it’s so nice to be a part of it,” the band told Radio Wales Breakfast having also played in Lucerne after the game against the Netherlands.
“To be there today and support them is going to be special. We’re looking forward to celebrating with everyone and to be there to sing the anthem.”
