England’s senior women’s team has announced its 23‑player roster for the upcoming World Cup qualifying play‑off against Greece, and the selections have sparked considerable discussion. Head coach Sarina Wiegman confirmed that both Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly have been left out of the squad, a decision that reflects the intense competition for places and the standards she expects on the pitch. Kelly’s situation at Arsenal this season has been a major factor in the coach’s assessment. The forward has yet to complete a full 90‑minute match for her club and has not started any games during the current campaign.
Her last omission from the national team occurred back in February 2025, making this a rare absence for a player of her calibre. Wiegman explained that the primary reason for Kelly’s exclusion was the level of performance she observed during training and match play, noting that the competition for attacking spots is fierce and that the coaching staff must reward those who consistently demonstrate the required intensity and impact. Toone’s case is similarly nuanced.
The Manchester United midfielder has started three of her side’s Women’s Super League fixtures, but she was not involved in the 1‑1 draw with Arsenal on September 19. Wiegman pointed out that, despite Toone’s experience and previous contributions, the metrics she uses to evaluate midfield performance—such as ball retention, defensive work rate, and chance creation—were not meeting the benchmark she set for this crucial play‑off.
The coach emphasized that the decision was not taken lightly and that both players were given clear feedback and encouraged to use the setback as motivation to improve. In Wiegman’s own words: “The main reason is that I think the levels weren’t what I expect from them on the pitch. 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. 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.
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 blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talents across all positions.
The goalkeeping department features Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Khiara Keating (Liverpool) and Anna Moorhouse (Manchester City, on loan from Orlando Pride). The defensive line is bolstered by 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), who returns after missing the June fixtures due to a hamstring injury. In midfield, 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) have earned their places.
The attacking contingent includes Freya Godfrey (London City Lionesses), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Beth Mead (Manchester City), Jess Park (Manchester United) and Alessia Russo (Arsenal). Notably, Chelsea’s Lexi Potter receives her first senior call‑up; the 20‑year‑old has started three of her club’s first four games and scored in a 2‑0 win over Birmingham, prompting Wiegman to praise her development and readiness for international competition. Additional omissions from the squad are Chelsea forward Aggie Beever‑Jones, Arsenal’s Lotte Wubben‑Moy and Taylor Hinds, underscoring the depth of talent available to the England set‑up. On a positive note, Grace Fisk (Liverpool) and uncapped midfielder Erica Meg Parkinson (North Carolina Courage) make a return, while Niamh Charles (Manchester City) is back after a recent injury lay‑off, having featured as a substitute in the WSL champions’ 1‑0 victory over Charlton Athletic.
The play‑off will be contested over two legs: the first match at the Pankritio Stadium in Crete on October 9, followed by a return fixture at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium on October 13. Should England prevail, they will advance to the next round of the World Cup qualification pathway, where they will face either Slovakia or Ukraine in a two‑legged tie scheduled for November and December.
The winner of that encounter will secure a place at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. Wiegman reiterated the team’s objectives, stating, “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 field, Wiegman’s contract situation remains a point of interest. The Dutch coach is currently signed through the end of the next summer’s World Cup, with negotiations for an extension beyond 2027 still ongoing.
When asked about the progress of a new deal, she emphasized her focus on the immediate task at hand: “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.” Analysts such as Sky Sports’ Anton Toloui have weighed in on the omissions, noting that both Toone and Kelly have struggled to replicate their previous form. Toone, under Manchester United’s new head coach Eva Olid, has seen a dip in key midfield metrics, while Kelly’s limited starts at Arsenal have raised questions about her match sharpness. Nonetheless, both players have demonstrated resilience in the past, and their exclusion could serve as a catalyst for renewed determination. In summary, England’s squad for the Greece play‑off reflects a balance of experience, youth, and form.
The decisions to leave out Toone and Kelly underline the competitive nature of international football and the high standards set by Sarina Wiegman. As the Lionesses prepare to travel to Crete and then back to Leicester, the focus will be on delivering the performances required to keep their World Cup aspirations alive, while the omitted players look to respond positively to the feedback and fight for a return in future selections.