Wales fans rally behind team ahead of crunch Euro 2025 clash with France
After a 3-0 defeat to the Netherlands in their opening fixture, Rhian Wilkinson’s side now face a formidable French team in St Gallen on Wednesday evening. France, ranked 10th in the world, beat reigning champions England in their first match, and another loss for Wales could see them exit the competition before their final group game.
Despite the odds, Welsh fans have turned out in force. Around 1,800 supporters are expected at Arena St Gallen, joining thousands who made the journey to Lucerne last weekend. Among them are lifelong fans like Jacqueline Davies from Aberdare and Deborah Pagington from Newport, who were in Dublin last December when Wales secured historic qualification.
“We’re mega excited,” said Jacqueline. “We couldn’t get to Lucerne but we’re here for the next two matches.”
The team’s preparations were disrupted on Tuesday when their official bus was involved in a crash en route to training at Arena St Gallen. As previously reported by Swansea Bay News, the incident prompted the cancellation of the scheduled session, though players later trained at their base in Weinfelden. No injuries were reported, and the FAW confirmed all players and staff were unharmed.
Midfielder Ffion Morgan’s mother, Ruth, reassured fans:
“Nobody was hurt thankfully… they continued to train yesterday.”
Head coach Wilkinson acknowledged the emotional impact of the crash but praised the squad’s resilience:
“Football is secondary… we’ve practised for the unexpected and I’ve been assured everyone is fine.”
The match against France kicks off at 20:00 BST, with fans at home also showing their support through watch parties and community events. The FAW has launched ‘Chwarae For Her’, a week-long programme of taster sessions aimed at boosting participation in the women’s game.
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.”
Meanwhile, fans in St Gallen will enjoy a free gig in the city’s Marktgasse, featuring Welsh artists Aleighcia Scott and Adwaith, adding to the celebratory atmosphere surrounding Wales’ debut at a major women’s tournament.