WALES boss Rhian Wilkinson has compared Jess Fishlock to Gareth Bale and urged fans to turn out in force for what could potentially be a farewell appearance in her home city of Cardiff.

Wilkinson has named a 26-strong squad for their Euro 2025 play-off final against Republic of Ireland when Seattle Reign veteran Fishlock hopes to help Wales to a first major tournament appearance.

Fishlock, Wales’ record goalscorer and caps holder, has previously said this campaign would “probably” be her last before retirement, but the 37-year-old stated last month that her international future does not depend on achieving Euro 2025 qualification.

Bale is the men’s team record scorer and caps holder and Wilkinson believes Fishlock shares the same status as the former Real Madrid star.

Wilkinson said: “I think people that didn’t take the opportunity to get out and see Gareth Bale in-person regret it, and we’ve got one in Jess Fishlock.

“Don’t miss the opportunity to see (her) live. She’s changed football in Wales, but she’s also changed sport in Wales.

“She’s given it a platform and she’s done it fearlessly. She doesn’t have to speak up [on] other things than football in what she believes because that makes you a target.

“But Jess has never been afraid of that. It is a brave and scary thing to do and she doesn’t seem to be fazed by it.

“Jess is a phenomenal player for club and is adored in Seattle and really appreciated across the NWSL.

“But she plays a whole other level for Wales because she accepts that pressure and has lived with it for a long time.”

Fishlock underlined her importance to Wales in the semi-final victory over Slovakia.

Despite having not played for seven weeks because of injury, Fishlock inspired Wales’ comeback from a 2-0 deficit — scoring one and making two in their eventual 3-2 aggregate victory.

Fishlock has not played since Wales’ 2-1 win in Cardiff on October 29 with Seattle not contesting the NWSL play-offs, but Wilkinson says she is “fully fit” and ready to start both games against the Republic.

Turkey’s shock 3-1 defeat in Montenegro saw Wales top Group B4 and win promotion to League A, while boosting the men’s team’s 2026 World Cup qualification hopes.

“He wants us to dictate games, he wants us to attack teams,” Cullen said, outlining Bellamy’s style of play and vision.

“At the same time, if it’s not on and teams are working us out a little bit we’ve got other solutions. He puts a lot into us to take our accountability out on the pitch.

“I think in the first six games, the ideas and the way he wants us to play is working for us and hopefully we can take that into the World Cup qualifiers.

“Topping the group tops off the perfect start for the manager and his staff.

“That’s the dream, we all want to make the World Cup and I don’t think there was a better way than the Nations League to start his reign off.

“It’s going to be a little while until we’re all back together in March, but we’re already looking forward because we can go into that campaign full of confidence knowing we’ve topped the group and we’re back in League A.”

Pembrokeshire-born Cullen was an unlikely Wales hero despite not scoring for two months, with his first-half double equalling his season’s total in the Sky Bet Championship.

Cullen said: “I’ve been thinking to myself it was about time I got back on the scoresheet and it was time for my first international goal.

“It was the perfect night, one I’ve dreamt about since kicking a ball.”

Wales’ Nations League success has booked them a spot in Pot 2 when the draw for the 12 European World Cup qualifying groups is made in Zurich on December 13.

The Dragons are effectively guaranteed a 2026 World Cup play-off place should they not qualify automatically for the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.