Should they overcome Albania – and Norway beat Romania – Wales will turn their attention to a reunion with Gemma Grainger.
The Englishwoman, who came close to guiding Wales to the 2023 World Cup, stepped down as Welsh boss in January 2024 to take charge of Norway.
Upsetting Grainger’s Norway, who are ranked 14th in the world, would be a major coup for Wales – and yet at this stage, Wilkinson’s squad do not know if that would be enough to seal a World Cup place.
There will be eight European play-off winners, with seven progressing straight to Brazil and one – the lowest-ranked nation from the group stage of qualifying – going into inter-confederation play-offs next February.
James says she would like to see the qualification process changed in the future.
“You play a final and you could win the final and still not reach the World Cup,” she said.
“So as players, do you celebrate that moment, do you not? It’s mixed emotions, but hopefully the pathway will change in the near future.”
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