Wrexham fall short of European Dream despite Historic UWCL Campaign

On Wednesday 22 July, Wrexham made their first ever appearance in the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) and their second against Dinamo Riga this weekend. Competing in the qualifying rounds, they pushed towards their dream of Champions League football next season.

For Wrexham, this is a historic achievement and remains an incredible opportunity for Welsh football as a whole. However, they fell short in the second fixture.

The Road to Europe

Wrexham qualified for the qualifying rounds of the UWCL by winning the Genero Adran Premier for the first time in their history. They won 16 of their 20 league games, and finished with 49 points, four above Cardiff City who finished in second.

Wrexham also lifted the Genero Adran Trophy, marking a historic domestic double for them. Before this season, Wrexham had never won the top Welsh division, making it a historic season full of firsts.

Champions League Format

Unlike some of the top clubs in Europe, Wrexham could not directly qualify for the league phase. They underwent rounds of prior qualifying, in the format of a mini tournament, to make it to the league phase.

Wrexham had their first qualifier earlier in the week, where they won 4-2 at their home ground, against FC Pyunik. This was an exciting contest where Wrexham pulled a dominant victory out of the bag.

Their next was on 25 July, where they faced Dinamo Riga, also at home. Another match at The Rock was the perfect opportunity for the side to push for another victory in front of a home crowd, however, they fell to a defeat. Although Lili Mai Jones put the club ahead at the break, the match ended in a 4-1 loss.

Wrexham bow out of the UWCL and fall short of their European Football dream. But this remains a campaign to be proud of.

Club Stars

Captain and goalkeeper Del Morgan is the leader and organiser of Wrexham’s backline. She joined Wrexham in 2023 after playing for a variety of teams such as Cardiff City, Bristol City and Crystal Palace. Her WSL and Championship experience provides a high level of authority for Wrexham, standing them out from the rest of the Genero Adran Premier.

Striker Rosie Hughes is another key asset to the Welsh trailblazers. Being their number nine, she is central to Wrexham’s attack as she combines clinical finishing with her intelligent movement. She finished the 2025/26 season as Wrexham’s top scorer, consistently delivering goals in the biggest matches.

Another creative player that will be vital for Wrexham in their UWCL journey is Lily Billingham. Billingham can receive passes under pressure, provides creativity in the midfield and links defence with attack. She’s able to control possession for Wrexham and link up with Hughes to create promising chances.

Jenny Sugarman’s Impact

Manager Jenny Sugarman was appointed in July 2025 after spending four years at West Bromwich Albion Women. She joined Wrexham with experience of guiding Bromwich Albion to memorable Women’s FA Cup runs, earning her a reputation for building competitive teams.

When asked about why she joined Wrexham, she highlighted the opportunity of building something long term, something which has become apparent in their qualification for the UWCL. In just her first season, she’s won Wrexham their first league title, qualified them for the UWCL and won the Genero Adran Trophy, making it one of the biggest campaigns in the club’s history.

What this means for Wrexham and Welsh Football

This UWCL campaign marks their first in their history and is so important for not only the club, but also Welsh football in general. By competing in Europe, even in the early qualifying stages, will give Wrexham an increased profile, drawing in more fans and ticket sales, allowing for more investment in the team.

From player perspectives, it will give great opportunities for players and also give them an increased profile. However, this European campaign won’t just benefit the club, but also Welsh football. The UWCL qualifiers gave Welsh football more visibility and greater investment, the first of many steps in the right direction for the Welsh women’s game.