Wales are set to make their debut against the Netherlands in the first major tournament for their senior women’s team on Saturday in the penultimate game of match day one of the Women’s European Championship.

The two sides have been placed within Group D for the group stages of the tournament , which has been coined the ”Group of Death” by some spectators, with France and current holders England completing the group.

Wales are ranked 30th according to the June 2025 FIFA world rankings, which is the lowest of all 16 teams competing, whilst their opponents are ranked 19 places higher at 11th. However, they have already beaten the odds, securing their place in the tournament with a 3-2 aggregate win over the Republic of Ireland in December 2024.

The Netherlands, who were champions in 2017 on home soil, will be looking to claim back the title after being knocked out of Euro 2022 in the quarter-finals by France due to an additional extra time penalty.

Wales

Former Chelsea midfielder Sophie Ingle has been included in the Euros squad, after missing the whole of the 24/25 season due to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament injury. Her inclusion in the squad brings a wealth of experience, with Ingle earning 149 senior appearances to date for her country, captaining the side for 9 years up to April 2024.

The side are without 18-year-old defender Mayzee Davies, who ruptured her ACL just minutes into a Nation’s League clash with Denmark last month.

Netherlands

Despite a club season plagued by injury, Vivienne Miedema is expected to lead the line for the Netherlands, and will be looking for her 100th senior international goal after a brace against Finland last week.

Despite having to exit the Netherlands camp early in late April, recent Champions League winner with Arsenal Daphne Van Domselaar is back to fitness and is expected to start in goal.

Lineth Beerensteyn, who had to withdraw from the squad for the Nation’s League games in June, has been cleared to join full training with the rest of the team this week, though, whether or not she will be fit enough to start the first game for the side this weekend is unknown.

Wales

Clark; Evans, Ladd, Green, Roberts, Woodham, James, Rowe; Holland, Fishlock; Cain

Netherlands

Van Domselaar; Casparij, Janssen, Buurman, Brugts; Pelova, Groenen, Van de Donk, Roord, Kaptein; Miedema

Wales – Jess Fishlock

It is clear that a wealth of international experience will be important for Wales in their first major international tournament. Fishlock, who has earned 162 caps for the side over the last 19 years, has an abundance.

For the debutants competing as the underdogs in a group with three other teams who have a combined 20 previous Euros tournaments under their belts, goal chances may be few and far between. Fishlock is currently the side’s top goalscorer and will be looking to increase her tally on Saturday.

Getting off the mark in their first group stage game will no doubt give the side the confidence that they need heading into their second and third group stage games against France and England respectively.

Netherlands – Vivianne Miedema

With more international goals than any other Dutch national player, male or female, it is an understatement that Miedema will be integral to the Netherlands’s attack on Saturday, and throughout the duration of the tournament.

Having a clinical finisher in front of goal is essential, especially when considering the difficulty of Group D.

Should there be a tie in points for second place within the group, goal difference will be the next deciding factor on which team goes through to the quarter-finals.

Miedema should provide this ruthlessness in front of goal, as she has done on so many prior occasions.

Where is the match being played?

The match will be contested at the Swissporarena in Lucerne, Switzerland

What time is kick-off?

The match will commence at 18:00 local time (17:00 BST)

How can I watch the match?

The match is being shown on BBC One for viewers in the UK