Mayzee Davies driven by Euro 2025 injury ahead of Wales' Albania play-off

Wales defender Mayzee Davies says missing Euro 2025 because of an anterior cruciate ligament injury has given her "extra motivation" ahead of the Women's World Cup qualifying play-off semi-final first leg against Albania in Shkoder on Friday, 9 October. The match kicks off at 17:00 BST and will be shown live on BBC iPlayer, BBC Two Wales and other BBC platforms.

Davies, 20, suffered the ACL injury on international duty in May 2025 and was sidelined for 13 months, causing her to miss Wales' first ever appearance at a major tournament. The Manchester City defender returned for Wales' final two group qualifiers in June against Montenegro and Czech Republic and says she is determined to reach the 2027 World Cup. Her recovery and absence from Euro 2025 are central to her current focus ahead of the play-offs.

Reflecting on the immediate aftermath, she said: "It was so hard," and added, "It was just so sad for everyone, even in my street, it affected us." She recalled the timing of the injury, saying "I'd just broken through [into the team] and I was 18 going to my first major tournament," and added, "It was horrible, and I think everyone close to me felt it."

Davies linked that disappointment directly to her World Cup ambitions. "I want to get to the World Cup because obviously I missed out last time, so I want to feel what it's like to go to a major tournament with Wales," she said, adding: "It does give me that extra motivation. I love playing for Wales and I think we're quite a passionate country anyway." She also said: "So I think to play in a World Cup for Wales, obviously in Brazil, it would be amazing," and: "Not just for me and my family, obviously coming off the back of the injury as well, I think it would make it extra special if we got there."

On the challenges of rehabilitation, Davies said: "I think once I had the surgery I was literally stuck on the sofa, I couldn't do anything on my own. "I was like, how am I ever going to like be a footballer again at this stage?" She credited support from others, saying: "But I had good people around me, team-mates, my family, and then it does get better." She described a turning point: "One day you just wake up and you're like, 'oh, I can start to walk again now'."

Wales enter the Albania ties with several absences, having lost players including Ceri Holland and Hayley Ladd to injury, while Albania sit 37 places below Wales in the Fifa world rankings. Davies acknowledged the need to integrate less experienced players, saying: "Obviously this camp we've had a lot of injuries to like more experienced players, the usual faces," and: "But I think everyone in this group now, you have to make sure all the new people feel a part of the team and feel valued." She cited Head Coach Rhian Wilkinson's message: "She [Head Coach Rhian Wilkinson] said at the end of the day, we always respect every opponent we come up against. "But this is a must-win game and we can't dwell on who's not here. "We have to work with who's here now and obviously everyone has their role and we've just got to get the job done."

The tie concludes with a return leg in Llanelli four days after the Shkoder game, and Wales aim to set up a play-off final against either Romania or Norway if they progress.