Laura Hughes handed Wales call-up despite playing for Australia last year | OneFootball

Rhian Wilkinson (pictured) has handed Laura Hughes her first Wales call-up (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

Wales have turned to Melbourne City midfielder Laura Hughes for their next international camp in Spain.

It comes as Wales prepare to play two friendlies in Spain against Switzerland, and another opponent still to be named.

Laura Hughes switches focus to Wales after Australia cap

Wales have named Laura Hughes in their squad, despite the Melbourne City midfielder previously playing for Australia.

Hughes qualifies to play for Wales through her mother, who is from Gwent.

Her inclusion marks the first time she has been selected by Wales and comes less than a year after she featured in a friendly for the Matildas in December 2024.

That outing does not prevent her from changing allegiance because it was not a competitive match.

Hughes is 24 and made her professional debut at just 15 for Canberra United in her home city.

After time in Iceland, she returned to Canberra, then spent a short spell with Manly United before joining Melbourne City in 2023. Her only appearance for Australia came as a substitute during a 6-0 win over Chinese Taipei and now she begins a new chapter in her career with Wales.

Hughes is one of five Wales players who could receive first cap

Hughes is the only completely new name in the first squad named since the retirement of experienced midfielder Jess Fishlock.

Four other players remain uncapped yet have featured in previous squads. They are Poppy Soper, Annie Wilding, Olivia Francis and Phoebie Poole.

Rhian Wilkinson welcomes back several familiar faces. Rhiannon Roberts, Ella Powell, Rachel Rowe, Lily Woodham and Esther Morgan all return after missing the defeats to Poland and Australia because of injury. Josie Green and Soffia Kelly remain unavailable.

There are also noticeable omissions from the group. Anna Filbey, Alice Griffiths, Lois Joel, Gwen Zimmerman, Scarlet Hill, Amy Richardson and Teagan Scarlett all drop out after being involved in the previous camp.

Mia Ross and Tianna Teisar are included again following their first international appearances in the October fixtures.

Wales look to halt their poor run

Wales are set to play two friendlies in Spain at a difficult time for the nation, which is suffering through an 11-match winless run.

Their last victory came against the Republic of Ireland in a Euro 2025 qualifying play-off in December 2024.

They are currently on a run of seven-straight defeats, which marks their worst sequence of results since the 1990s. A demanding year, which has included meetings with several higher-ranked teams, has deepened the challenge Wilkinson faces as she shapes her squad.

Rhian Wilkinson said 2025 has offered some “hard lessons” to her Wales squad who have played some of Europe’s most competitive nations in women’s football, including England, France and the Netherlands.

Wales will play Switzerland on Tuesday, December 2nd at El Chapin Stadium in Jerez de la Frontera. They will also play on Friday, November 28th at the Malaga Football Foundation Centre, although the opponent is yet to be confirmed.

These fixtures form the final camp before Wales begin their qualification bid for the 2027 Women’s World Cup. Their opening match is an away trip to Czechia on March 3rd, 2026, and they will also face Albania and Montenegro in Group B1.

Wales squad

Goalkeepers:  Olivia Clark (Leicester City) Safia Middleton Patel (Manchester United) Poppy Soper (Rugby Borough)

Defenders: Ceri Holland (Liverpool) Annie Wilding (Portsmouth) Ella Powell (Bristol City) Rhiannon Roberts (Sunderland) Hayley Ladd (Everton) Gemma Evans (Liverpool) Charlie Estcourt (DC Power) Lily Woodham (Liverpool) Esther Morgan (Bristol City)

Midfielders: Sophie Ingle (Bristol City) Mia Ross (Charlton Athletic) Laura Hughes (Melbourne City) Angharad James (Seattle Reign) Carrie Jones (IFK Norrkoping) Tianna Teisar (Plymouth Argyle on loan from Bristol City) Mared Griffiths (Manchester United)

Forwards: Olivia Francis (Plymouth Argyle) Phoebie Poole (Plymouth Argyle) Hannah Cain (Leicester City) Rachel Rowe (Nottingham Forest) Ffion Morgan (West Ham United) Elise Hughes (Crystal Palace) Mary McAteer (Charlton Athletic)