Hannah Cain named in Gemma Grainger’s squad ahead of World Cup qualifiers
Llanelli, Wales 15 June 2021. International Women's Friendly match between Wales and Scotland. Credit: Will Cheshire / Y Clwb Pêl-droed
Gemma Grainger has handed Hannah Cain a first call up ahead of Wales getting their 2023 World Cup qualification campaign against Kazakhstan and Estonia.
Wales get their campaign underway against Kazakhstan on 17th September at Parc Y Scarlets before facing Estonia at the Pärnu Rannastaadion on the 21st September.
Grainger has selected a full-strength side which includes centurions Jess Fishlock and Sophie Ingle alongside newcomer Hannah Cain.
Cain receives her first senior call up having last represented Wales at under-17 level in 2014, before represented England at youth level at various age grades.
The 22-year-old forward played a role last season as Leicester gained promotion to the WSL for the first time in their history.
Ceri Holland also returns for Wales having missed out on the squad that lost 1-0 to Scotland at Park y Scarlets in June.
Youngsters Bethan Roberts and Maria Francis-Jones miss out on the squad having been called up to the under-19 side that face Northern Ireland at Colliers Park.
Wales are familiar with Kazakhstan having faced them during qualification for the 2019 World Cup where they recorded 1-0 victories home and away.
They are also well acquainted with Estonia – who are led by former Cymru boss Jarmo Matikainen – having faced them at the Racecourse ground in March 2020.
They won on that evening by a 2-0 margin thanks to goals from Megan Wynne and Nadia Lawrence.
The group opening fixture against Kazakhstan at Parc y Scarlets will also mark the return of fans to women’s international for the first time in 18 months.
Wales Squad
Laura O’SULLIVAN (Cardiff City Ladies), Olivia CLARK (Coventry United), Poppy SOPER
(Plymouth Argyle), Hayley LADD (Manchester United), Gemma EVANS (Reading), Rhiannon ROBERTS
(Liverpool), Esther MORGAN (Tottenham Hotspur), Rachel ROWE (Reading), Lily WOODHAM
(Reading), Sophie INGLE (Chelsea), Anna FILBEY (Charlton Athletic), Angharad JAMES (North Carolina
Courage), Josie GREEN (Tottenham Hotspur), Charlie ESTCOURT (Coventry United), Jess FISHLOCK
(OL Reign), Carrie JONES (Manchester United), Chloe WILLIAMS (Manchester United), Ffion
MORGAN (Bristol City), Megan WYNNE (Charlton Athletic), Hannah CAIN (Leicester City), Ceri
HOLLAND (Liverpool), Kayleigh GREEN (Brighton & Hove Albion), Helen WARD (Watford), Elise
HUGHES (Charlton Athletic), Georgia WALTERS (Liverpool).
