England’s head coach, Sarina Wiegman, has announced a 23‑player roster for the upcoming World Cup qualifying play‑off against Greece, and the list notably excludes two of the Lionesses’ most recognizable attacking talents – Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly. Both players have found themselves on the outside of the squad after a period of limited playing time at their respective clubs, and Wiegman explained that the decision was driven by performance standards rather than personal preference. Kelly’s situation at Arsenal has been particularly stark.
She has not completed a full 90‑minute match this season and, in fact, has not started a single game for the Gunners. The last occasion she missed an England call‑up was back in February 2025, making her omission this time a significant departure from recent selections. Toone, meanwhile, has been a regular starter for Manchester United in the Women's Super League, featuring in three of the club’s league fixtures. However, she was absent from United’s 1‑1 draw with Arsenal on 19 September, and that lack of recent impact appears to have influenced Wiegman’s judgment.
"The main reason is that I think the levels weren’t what I expect from them on the pitch," Wiegman said when asked about the two forwards. "I have had a conversation with them and there is big competition going on and that is basically what it is. It has been a really hard decision for both of them. I really believe in them and we follow them really well and we expect a bit more and know they can bring more." She added that the players had taken the feedback positively, but acknowledged that the message was nonetheless difficult to receive.
"I hope they can step up and show what they can do because I'm convinced they can do better. They took the feedback well, in a positive way, but it is also hard to take.
It is not a nice message. I hope they respond on it really well. I hope they come back even better than they were before," Wiegman continued.
The coach also highlighted that her discussions with Kelly and Toone focused on what she observed on the field, emphasizing that selection is ultimately a merit‑based process. "I had the conversation with Chloe and it was just about what I saw on the pitch.
I kept with football with her [and Toone]." Beyond the two omitted forwards, the squad list includes a mixture of seasoned internationals and emerging talents. Goalkeepers selected are Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Khiara Keating (Liverpool) and Anna Moorhouse (Manchester City, on loan from Orlando Pride). The defensive line features Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Gotham), Niamh Charles (Manchester City), Grace Fisk (Liverpool), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit) and captain Leah Williamson (Arsenal). In midfield, the choices are Laura Blindkilde Brown (Manchester City), Lucia Kendall (Aston Villa), Erica Meg Parkinson (North Carolina Courage), Lexi Potter (Chelsea), Georgia Stanway (Arsenal) and Keira Walsh (Chelsea).
Up front, the forwards are Freya Godfrey (London City Lionesses), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Beth Mead (Manchester City), Jess Park (Manchester United) and Alessia Russo (Arsenal). Also left out are Chelsea’s rising striker Aggie Beever‑Jones, Arsenal’s Lotte Wubben‑Moy and Taylor Hinds, who were not included in the final list.
On a more positive note, captain Leah Williamson, 29, returns after missing the June fixtures – a 4‑0 loss to Spain and a 3‑0 win over Ukraine – due to a hamstring problem. Her comeback adds experience and leadership to a squad that will be travelling to Crete for the first leg of the play‑off. One of the standout inclusions is 20‑year‑old Chelsea midfielder Lexi Potter, who earns her first senior call‑up. Potter has started three of her club’s first four games this season and even found the net in a 2‑0 triumph over Birmingham earlier in the month.
Wiegman praised her development, noting that the coaching staff had been monitoring her closely last season and that her recent performances have convinced them she deserves the opportunity. "She comes out on the pitch and just plays, she is comfortable, so I hope to see that next week," the manager said. The squad also sees the return of Liverpool defender Grace Fisk and uncapped North Carolina Courage midfielder Erica Meg Parkinson, who made her debut in April. Manchester City full‑back Niamh Charles, who recovered from an injury and appeared as a substitute in the WSL champions’ 1‑0 win over Charlton Athletic, also makes the list.
England’s play‑off fixtures are set as a double‑header against Greece. The first leg will be played at the Pankritio Stadium in Crete on 9 October, with the return match scheduled for 13 October at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium. If the Lionesses prevail and move on to the second round of the World Cup play‑offs, they will face either Slovakia or Ukraine in a two‑legged tie later in November and December.
The winner of that tie will secure a place at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. Wiegman emphasized the team’s respect for the Greek side while reaffirming England’s own ambitions.
"We have great respect for Greece but our expectations of ourselves are clear. We are here to win these two games, deliver strong performances, and move one step closer to securing our place at the World Cup," she said.
She added that the squad is eager to reunite after a period apart, noting that the players will travel to Crete motivated and ready for the challenge. The coach also reflected on the upcoming travel and the support of fans. "We are looking forward to travelling to Crete and playing Greece for the first time ever. We will then return to Leicester, where we've enjoyed some good moments together in the past.
We know our supporters will get behind the team again, and it will be great to play in front of them after a few months away," Wiegman said. Off the pitch, Wiegman remains under contract until the end of the next World Cup cycle, with discussions about a possible extension beyond 2027 still ongoing. When asked about the status of a new deal, she stressed that her focus remains entirely on the Greece play‑offs. "We have regular conversations together and talk about the future at moments, but at this moment I'm just focusing on Greece and want to get through and qualify for the World Cup.
We always speak. Of course I talk to Mark [Bullingham, FA chief executive officer] every two weeks, and we talk about what is happening now and the future, but there is nothing new, we are focusing on Greece and then hopefully the World Cup," she explained. Analysts have weighed in on the omissions.
Sky Sports commentator Anton Toloui observed that Wiegman’s decision, while painful, reflects the hard data behind player selection. He noted that Toone has struggled to replicate her previous form under Manchester United’s new head coach Eva Olid, with several key midfield metrics trending downward.
Her lack of impact in the recent WSL clash against Arsenal further underscored the concerns. Regarding Kelly, Toloui pointed out that her limited starts at Arsenal – only in a 0‑0 draw with Crystal Palace and a narrow win over HB Koge, where she was subbed off while the score remained level – have contributed to her being left out. Both players, however, have a history of bouncing back. Kelly was omitted from the squad four months before Euro 2025, yet she fought her way back in and played a pivotal role in England’s successful campaign.
Toone, too, possesses the talent to rediscover her best form if given the right environment and confidence. In summary, the Lionesses head into the Greece play‑off with a blend of experience, youthful energy and a clear message from the manager: performance on the pitch is the ultimate criterion. The exclusion of Toone and Kelly serves as a reminder that even established stars must continually prove their worth, while the inclusion of emerging players like Lexi Potter highlights the depth and future potential within the England women’s national team.