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 forward Ella Toone and striker Chloe Kelly. Both players have been regular fixtures in the national team in recent years, but this month’s selection reflects Wiegman’s assessment of current form and fitness.
Kelly’s club situation has been a key factor in the decision. The Arsenal forward has yet to complete a full 90‑minute spell for her side this season and has not earned a starting berth in any match. The last occasion she missed an England call‑up was back in February 2025, making this omission a rare occurrence in her international career.
Wiegman explained that the lack of game time at club level meant Kelly could not demonstrate the level of performance she expects from her senior players. Toone, who has been a mainstay for Manchester United’s Women’s Super League side, also finds herself on the outside. Although she started three league fixtures, she was not involved in United’s 1‑1 draw with Arsenal on 19 September. The midfielder’s recent displays have not convinced the Dutch coach that she is ready for the high‑stakes play‑off.
Wiegman said, "The main reason is that I think the levels weren't what I expect from them on the pitch." She added that intense competition for places has forced her to make some tough choices. "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," Wiegman told the press. She emphasized that the two players have taken the feedback positively and that she hopes they will use the setback as motivation to improve. "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," she continued. The coach also noted that her conversations with Kelly and Toone centered on what she observed on the field, not personal issues.
"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]," she said.
The rest of the squad features a blend of experienced campaigners 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 includes 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). Williamson, who missed the June matches against Spain (4‑0 loss) and Ukraine (3‑0 win) due to a hamstring problem, returns to the roster.
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).
Other notable omissions, besides Toone and Kelly, are Chelsea’s Aggie Beever‑Jones, Arsenal’s Lotte Wubben‑Moy and Taylor Hinds. Conversely, the squad welcomes back several players who have recently recovered from injury or earned their first senior call‑up. Chelsea’s 20‑year‑old midfielder Lexi Potter makes her debut for the senior side after a strong start to her club season, including a goal in a 2‑0 win over Birmingham. Wiegman praised Potter’s development, stating, "Her performances have really impressed us, so she really deserves this call‑up.
She's shown at Chelsea she can start against any team. What I've seen from her is she comes out on the pitch and just plays, she is comfortable, so I hope to see that next week." Defender Grace Fisk (Liverpool) and uncapped midfielder Erica Meg Parkinson (North Carolina Courage) also return, while Manchester City full‑back Niamh Charles, who came off the bench in the champions’ 1‑0 victory over Charlton Athletic, secures a spot. England’s play‑off against Greece will be played over two legs: the first match at the Pankritio Stadium in Crete on 9 October, followed by a return fixture at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium on 13 October.
If the Lionesses progress, they will face either Slovakia or Ukraine in the next round of the World Cup play‑offs, with the winner earning a place at the 2027 tournament in Brazil. Wiegman stressed the team’s mindset, saying, "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. It's always exciting to reconnect as a group and we are looking forward to getting back together.
The players will arrive motivated and ready for the next steps." She added, "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." Off the pitch, Wiegman remains under contract until the end of the 2027 World Cup but has not yet secured a new extension. When asked about a possible deal during a Tuesday press conference, she said her focus is solely on the Greece fixtures.
"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. Of course I talk to Mark [Bullingham, FA chief executive] 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." Analyst Anton Toloui of Sky Sports weighed in, noting that while Wiegman would not have wanted to drop two of her most trusted players, the statistics support the decision. He pointed out that Toone has struggled to replicate her previous form under United’s new head coach Eva Olid, with key midfield metrics slipping.
Kelly, on the other hand, has not earned regular starts at Arsenal, with only two starts this season—against Crystal Palace (0‑0) and HB Koge—both of which ended with her being substituted before any decisive moments. Both players have previously bounced back from setbacks; Kelly returned to the squad four months before Euro 2025 and played a pivotal role in England’s victorious campaign. Toone, too, has the experience of overcoming dips in form.
Their exclusion this time will likely serve as further motivation to prove their worth in club football and push for a recall. The announcement also included a reminder for fans to use a Chrome browser for an accessible video player, underscoring the FA’s commitment to ensuring all supporters can follow the team’s progress. In summary, the England women’s squad for the Greece play‑off blends seasoned veterans with rising talents, while leaving out two high‑profile forwards whose recent club performances have not met the coach’s expectations. The upcoming matches in Crete and Leicester will be crucial for the Lionesses as they aim to secure a spot at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.