Rhian Wilkinson, the head coach of Wales, has emphasized that the pressure will be on Norway as they prepare for the Women's World Cup play-off final in December. After a convincing 3-0 victory over Albania in the semi-finals, Wales secured a 4-0 aggregate success, bringing them closer to their first Women's World Cup appearance.

Wales is set to face a formidable opponent in Norway, ranked 14th globally. Despite the odds, Wilkinson believes her team can achieve an upset against their former boss, Gemma Grainger. She stated, "The pressure is always on the big nations and that's something I think we thrive on."

Key highlights from Wilkinson's remarks include:

• Wales possesses a strong team spirit, showcasing impressive play against Albania.
• The squad is relatively young, adding to the excitement of their potential.
• The first leg of the play-off final will occur at Cardiff City Stadium on December 1, followed by the return leg in Norway four days later.

Historically, Norway, the 1995 world champions, has participated in every Women's World Cup since its inception in 1991. They are firm favorites, sitting 17 places above Wales in the FIFA rankings and having never lost to a top-20 ranked nation in competitive matches.

Wilkinson acknowledges Norway's strong performance but remains optimistic, asserting that Wales has talented players ready to compete. She emphasized the need for her team to rest before going back to training, aiming to deliver a squad that will fiercely represent their country.

However, the intricate qualifying process means that even with a victory over Norway, a spot at next year's World Cup isn't guaranteed for Wales.