Midfielder Sophie Ingle has decided to step down as the Wales captain, saying it is the right time to pass on the armband after nine years in the role.
Ingle was named the Wales captain in February 2015 by former manager Jayne Ludlow when she was 23 years old. At that time, she replaced Wales’ most-capped player Jess Fishlock in the role.
“It’s obviously such a special feeling when you first walk out leading the team” Ingle said in a statement released on Sunday.
“I’ve learned so much and it’s probably made me the character that I am today because when I first received it at 23 I was a shy young girl and didn’t really speak to the team, whereas that gave me the power to go and speak to the girls and develop those relationships really.”
The 32-year-old has made 136 appearances for Wales and led the team in their 4-0 win over Croatia in the 2025 European Championship qualifiers on Friday. Wales are due to face Kosovo on Tuesday.
Ingle continues to play a key role in the progression and development of the Wales team as they look to qualify for the finals of a major tournament for the first time. The Wales FA has yet to announce a successor for Ingle.
“It’s been honestly the best nine years of my career representing my country and leading this group of girls out. But I think it’s the right time now, going into the new campaign and we have leaders all across this team,” Ingle said.
“I think it’s right to pass it on to someone else and let them experience what I’ve experienced over the last nine years,” she added. “I want them to experience everything I did, the highs and the lows and the leadership that comes with that, and the responsibility that they now take from being the new captain of Wales.”
Ingle said there are several “natural leaders” in the Wales squad.
“I think we’ve been growing and growing every single year, every single campaign, and there’s more and more leaders naturally,” said Ingle.
“It might not even be one player that wears it. I think there’s numerous players within this team now who are ready for it, who are ready for that responsibility. I’ll still be around to obviously help and advise where I can, but I also want them to just excel in it and be themselves because that’s what it’s about at the end of the day.”
Chelsea player Ingle has been appointed an OBE for her services to football and has broken the appearance record for the Women’s Super League, which she has won four times.