Having never made it to the play-off stages of qualifying for a major championship before 2022, Wales have achieved the feat three times in a row.
Two years ago, Wilkinson's players enjoyed a glorious night in Dublin as they beat the Republic of Ireland to reach Euro 2025, the first women's major tournament in the nation's history.
Emotions had been at the other end of the spectrum two years earlier, when Wales – who were then managed by Gemma Grainger – were beaten in agonising fashion by Switzerland in the World Cup pay-off final.
Wales will now begin preparations another World Cup play-off final with Grainger in the opposite dugout, after the Englishwoman resigned in 2024 to take charge of Norway.
Grainger's presence will add an extra layer of intrigue to a tie in which Wales will start as underdogs against opponents ranked 14th in the world.
Even if Wales can upset Norway - who cruised to an 8-0 aggregate success in their play-off semi-final against Romania - their World Cup place may not be guaranteed.
There will be eight European play-off winners, with seven progressing directly to the tournament and one - the lowest-ranked nation from the group stage of qualifying - going into inter-confederation play-offs next February.
Frustratingly for Wilkinson, that team could well be Wales – though they would be expected to succeed at the inter-confederation stage given the calibre of their likely opponents.
For the moment, Wales need only concern themselves with Norway.
A Welsh success against the Norwegians, after all, would be perhaps the most notable in their history.
Image source, FAW
