ByGareth VincentBBC Sport Wales,\u00a0AtUherske Hradiste<\/p>\n
Captain Angharad James says Wales have a first Women's World Cup "in their sights" as they set out on the long road to Brazil in the Czech Republic on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Wales begin their bid to reach a second successive major tournament with a testing World Cup qualifier in Uherske Hradiste.<\/p>\n
The meeting with the Czechs is the first of six games for Rhian Wilkinson's side in Group B1.<\/p>\n
With no automatic qualification place on offer, Wales must finish in the top three of a group which also features Montenegro and Albania to qualify for the play-offs.<\/p>\n
To reach the 2027 tournament, Wales must then progress through two ties against European opponents, while they may then have to win an inter-confederation play-off to secure a place in Brazil.<\/p>\n
James has described the qualification process as "a little bit complex" \u2013 but insists Wales' women will be driven throughout by the chance to make a World Cup debut.<\/p>\n
"We have our eyes set on the future of course. We've spoken about that, the journey, and we spoke about it before the Euros too," the Seattle Reign midfielder said.<\/p>\n
Czech Republic v Wales<\/strong><\/p>\n Women's World Cup qualifying<\/p>\n Tuesday, 3 March at 17:30 GMT<\/p>\n City Stadium, Uherske Hradiste<\/p>\n Watch on iPlayer<\/a>Listen on Sounds<\/a><\/p>\n Watch live on BBC Two Wales and iPlayer from 17:15 GMT; radio commentary on BBC Sounds via BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru; text commentary and match highlights on BBC Sport website and app.<\/p>\n "[It is the World Cup] and the World Cup in Brazil too – that would be pretty cool.<\/p>\n "It's in our sights, but we have to take it each game at a time."<\/p>\n Wales' opening group fixture is likely to provide a stern examination for Wilkinson's side, who have not played since a 3-2 friendly win over Switzerland in December.<\/p>\n The Czechs have never reached a major tournament but are ranked 31st in the world, one place above Wales.<\/p>\n "It's going to be a tough game," James added.<\/p>\n "We've reviewed them and they're a very direct team. They're a team that are very good at what they do.<\/p>\n "We have to counteract that and bring our game to the game and hopefully, if we do that, we get the result we want."<\/p>\n Wilkinson urges Wales to build 'legacy'<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n James has not played since the Switzerland win because Seattle Reign's National Women's Soccer League campaign ended in November, although she was involved in pre-season before joining up with Wales last week.<\/p>\n James also struggled for game-time after returning to her club following Euro 2025.<\/p>\n Even so, the 31-year-old says she is in a good place a she prepares to win her 140th cap.<\/p>\n "I worked so hard in the off-season to make sure that I'm ready for Wales and Wales always comes first in my eyes," James said.<\/p>\n "So if I knew that I had to be ready for this game, I'll make sure that I am at the best I can be for this game."<\/p>\n When asked about her lack of minutes for Reign in the autumn, James added: "I think there'd be something wrong if I didn't think about it.<\/p>\n "Do I want to play more football? Of course I do. And am I going to push to play more this year? Yeah, I am.<\/p>\n "So I'm in a good place and hopefully I can go back, hit the ground and running after two games here with Wales."<\/p>\n\n
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'Wales always comes first in my eyes'<\/h2>\n
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