Wales forward Elise Hughes has admitted that reaching a first World Cup would be the realization of a childhood dream, but she was quick to stress that nothing matters more right now than Tuesday's crucial play-off second leg against Albania.
Rhian Wilkinson's side head into the return fixture in Llanelli holding a narrow 1-0 lead from the first leg of their play-off semi-final. That slim advantage means Wales will progress to the next round of qualifying for next summer's World Cup in Brazil even with a draw, putting the destiny of the tie firmly in their own hands.
For Hughes, the significance of the occasion is not lost on her, even if she is determined not to let herself get carried away before the job is finished. Speaking ahead of the match, she reflected on what it would mean to represent her country on football's biggest stage, a dream she has carried since childhood.
"When you're a kid, it doesn't get bigger than that," Hughes said of the prospect of playing at a World Cup. "You dream and you're in the garden thinking of the World Cup and you're at your grassroots team thinking of the World Cup."
That youthful ambition has now evolved into a tangible opportunity for this current Wales squad, who find themselves on the verge of a historic achievement. Hughes was clear that the collective goal of the group takes precedence over any individual aspirations, framing Tuesday's fixture as the only thing that matters at this moment.
"Now this group has a chance to do it and that is the most important thing for the group here and now," she added.
Despite holding the advantage from the first leg, Hughes was careful not to suggest that qualification is already secured. She emphasized that the team cannot afford to look beyond the immediate challenge in front of them, with Albania sure to pose a difficult test on home soil for Wales in Llanelli.
"But to do that, we've got to win the game on Tuesday," Hughes said. "This is the most important game to date because it's next."
That mentality of focusing solely on the next match reflects the approach Wilkinson has instilled in her squad throughout this qualifying campaign. Having already overcome the first leg to establish a foothold in the tie, Wales now have a genuine chance to advance further in the race to reach next summer's tournament.
Should Wales see out the tie against Albania, it would mark a significant step forward for the women's game in the country, potentially setting up further knockout football as they continue their pursuit of a maiden World Cup appearance. The occasion in Llanelli is expected to draw significant attention, with supporters hoping to see their side take another step closer to history.
For now, though, the message from within the camp remains consistent: no distractions, no assumptions, and a complete focus on securing the result needed against Albania before any thoughts turn to what lies beyond. Hughes and her teammates know that the dream of a World Cup appearance can only be pursued one match at a time, starting with Tuesday's decisive second leg.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.