James focused on World Cup as Wales head to Albania for play-off semi

Wales captain Angharad James is set to win her 146th cap in Shkoder, Albania, on Friday, 9 October as her side prepare for the Women's World Cup qualifying play-off semi-final first leg.

James said she thinks about representing Wales at the World Cup during "every training session, every day" and added: "It's always in the back of my mind," the Seattle Reign midfielder added.

Wales face Albania in Shkoder aiming to move closer to what would be the nation's first World Cup appearance, with Rhian Wilkinson's side hosting the return leg next Tuesday at Parc y Scarlets. The winners of this tie will meet either Norway or Romania in a two-legged play-off final in December, and even after both play-off rounds teams may have to contest inter-confederation play-offs in February to secure a place at next year's tournament in Brazil.

James, 32, said: "I've always wanted to play in a World Cup and I think if you ask the majority of the group, the way we turn up and train and play every day for [our] club is for moments like this with our national team. "Every day I'll make sure I do extras. I do everything that I can to best prepare myself and the team to reach the first World Cup."

James was a central part of the squad who ended Wales' wait for a women's major championship appearance by qualifying for Euro 2025, and Wilkinson's players topped Group B4 during World Cup qualifying. With no automatic qualification route available to teams in League B, Wales begin a play-off route in Albania; their squad has been described as depleted by injury, and Wales beat Albania twice in the group phase.

A likely play-off final against Norway — with the second leg away from home — is identified as a tougher test, but James insisted Wales possess the "strength and depth" required to progress. She added: "We know it's not an easy road ahead of us," she added. "It's a big challenge. We've got a big game [in Albania], we've got big games ahead of us and the road is never easy. "But it's one that I truly believe this group can get through. With the help of the staff and the whole squad, we can achieve big things and reaching the World Cup would be the biggest honour."

If Wales overcome Albania, and Norway beat Romania, the Welsh side could face Gemma Grainger, who came close to guiding Wales to the 2023 World Cup and stepped down as Welsh boss in January 2024 to take charge of Norway; Norway are ranked 14th in the world. There will be eight European play-off winners, with seven progressing straight to Brazil and one — the lowest-ranked nation from the group stage of qualifying — entering inter-confederation play-offs next February.

James called for a change to the qualification process, saying: "You play a final and you could win the final and still not reach the World Cup," she said. "So as players, do you celebrate that moment, do you not? It's mixed emotions, but hopefully the pathway will change in the near future." The play-off semi-final first leg takes place Friday, 9 October at 17:00 BST and will be shown live on BBC iPlayer, BBC Two Wales, BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales Extra, Radio Cymru, the BBC Sport website and app, with live text commentary.