James handed Wales captain's role

Midfielder Angharad James has been appointed as the new Wales captain.

Seattle Reign's James, one of four players who captained Wales during their Euro 2025 qualifying campaign, will now lead her country on a permanent basis.

The 30-year-old will skipper Wales in their Euros play-off semi-final against Slovakia as they bid to reach a major tournament for the first.

James, who has captained Wales three times before, was always seen as a favourite to succeed previous captain Sophie Ingle, who stood down from the role in April.

A former Tottenham and Reading player, James brings huge experience to the role having won 122 Wales caps since her debut in 2011 and she will be assisted by vice-captains Ceri Holland and Hayley Ladd.

"Representing your country is the greatest honour a player can have, and now to be appointed captain is an extremely proud moment for me and my family," James said.

"Sophie Ingle is an incredible leader, and I've learned so much from her dedication and leadership as captain over the past nine years. Her legacy will be felt for years to come, and it's a true honour to follow in her footsteps and those captains who came before her."

Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson says she feels James leads by example.

"Angharad has been a consistent performer for this team for so many years, which is summed up by the number of appearances she's made," she said.

"Her passion and commitment to her country is evident and while she's not necessarily the most vocal leader, she's always demanding and offering advice to her team-mates when she steps out on the field.

"I love the way she embraces the younger players in the squad with her leadership too, which is important for the future of the team and the direction we're heading.

"Angharad understands the responsibility that comes with being a captain, both on and off the pitch, and I know this is a proud moment for her and her family.

"I have no doubt she will lead the team as impressively as Sophie Ingle and the former captains of our nation."

James lands the role as Wales prepare to face Slovakia in the first round of play-offs for the Euro 2025 finals in Switzerland, with the first leg on Friday, 25 October, before the return game at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday, 29 October.

Wales could face the Republic of Ireland, who take on Georgia, in the final of the play-offs if both nations progress.

BBC Sport Wales football writer Michael Pearlman

Though Rhian Wilkinson opted to shuffle her options in terms of the captaincy in qualification, it always seemed likely she would end up selecting Angharad James.

A stand-out candidate for what she brings on and off the pitch, James is extremely popular with her team-mates and goes out of her way to try and welcome Wales' younger players.

With former captain Sophie Ingle injured and out of the play-offs, Wales will need leadership as they try and reach a major tournament for the first time and James is the ideal person to try and take Wales to unchartered territory.

James is also ideally suited to the role as a Welsh speaker, because the Football Association of Wales (FAW) are extremely keen on promoting the Welsh language and in James and Aaron Ramsey now have fluent Welsh speakers captaining Cymru.