Welsh captain joins Cymru for April FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying matches against Albania following strong start to campaign
RENTON, WASH. – Seattle Reign FC midfielder Angharad James-Turner has been called up to the Welsh Women’s National Team for a pair of FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying matches in April. Wales, currently atop Group B1 alongside Albania, Czechia and Montenegro, will face Albania in back-to-back matches on April 14 and 18. The fixtures present an opportunity for Cymru to build on a strong start to its qualifying campaign, including a 2-2 draw on the road against Czechia and a 6-1 victory over Montenegro in Llanelli.
A longtime leader for the Welsh national team, James-Turner enters the window with 141 caps and will once again play a key role in anchoring the midfield. Her veteran presence will be especially important as the squad continues to integrate new talent, with four uncapped players included for the April matches.
In Seattle, James-Turner has opened the 2026 campaign in strong form for Reign FC, appearing in each of the club’s first four matches. She also made a decisive impact in the attack, scoring the opening goal in the club’s 3-0 victory over the Kansas City Current, a strike that was nominated for NWSL Goal of the Week.
The upcoming matches will mark the first-ever meetings between Wales and Albania, as Cymru looks to maintain its position at the top of the group and continue building momentum in its push toward World Cup qualification.
The UEFA Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign continues through the end of the year, with group performance determining advancement to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, while also impacting positioning for the next edition of the UEFA Women’s Nations League.
