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 nation’s most high‑profile attackers, Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly. Both women have been regular fixtures in the Lionesses set‑up in recent years, but this time they did not make the cut. Kelly’s club situation has been a major factor in the decision. The Arsenal forward has yet to complete a full 90‑minute spell for her club this season and has not started a single match.
In fact, the last occasion she was left out of an England squad was back in February 2025, making her omission this time all the more surprising for fans who have followed her career. The lack of minutes on the pitch has clearly affected Wiegman's assessment of her current form. Toone, who operates in midfield for Manchester United, also found herself on the outside looking in. Although she started three of United’s Women’s Super League games, she was not involved in the 1‑1 draw with Arsenal on 19 September.
Wiegman explained that the primary reason for the exclusions was the level of performance displayed during recent club matches: "The main reason is that I think the levels weren't what I expect from them on the pitch," the Dutch manager said. She added that intense competition for places meant that even talented players could be left out if they do not meet the required standards.
The coach emphasized that the decision was painful for the two athletes. "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 said. She expressed confidence that both Toone and Kelly would respond positively to the feedback, noting, "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." In addition to the two forwards, several other players were omitted from the squad.
Chelsea’s rising star Aggie Beever‑Jones, Arsenal’s versatile Lotte Wubben‑Moy, and Taylor Hinds also missed out. Conversely, 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 injury. Her comeback adds experience to a side that will travel to Crete for the first leg at the Pankritio Stadium on 9 October, before returning to Leicester’s King Power Stadium for the second leg on 13 October.
Among the newcomers, 20‑year‑old Chelsea midfielder Lexi Potter earned her first senior call‑up. Potter has started three of her club’s first four games and even found the net in a 2‑0 victory over Birmingham earlier in the month. Wiegman praised her development, stating, "I think she's grown a lot.
Last season we kept a close eye on her because she was already getting into the squad but I think she has started this season really well. 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." The squad also sees the return of Liverpool defender Grace Fisk and North Carolina Courage midfielder Erica Meg Parkinson, who earned her first cap 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, is also included. The full list of selected players is as follows: Goalkeepers: Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Khiara Keating (Liverpool), Anna Moorhouse (Manchester City, on loan from Orlando Pride).
Defenders: 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), Leah Williamson (Arsenal). Midfielders: Laura Blindkilde Brown (Manchester City), Lucia Kendall (Aston Villa), Erica Meg Parkinson (North Carolina Courage), Lexi Potter (Chelsea), Georgia Stanway (Arsenal), Keira Walsh (Chelsea). Forwards: Freya Godfrey (London City Lionesses), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Beth Mead (Manchester City), Jess Park (Manchester United), Alessia Russo (Arsenal).
England’s path to the World Cup remains clear but challenging. If the Lionesses overcome Greece in the two‑legged play‑off, they will face either Slovakia or Ukraine in a subsequent round scheduled for November and December. Victory in that tie would secure a place at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. Wiegman reiterated the team’s mindset ahead of the Greece matches: "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 conclusion of the next summer’s World Cup and has yet to sign a new agreement that would extend her tenure beyond 2027. When questioned about a possible extension during a recent press conference, she emphasized that her focus is entirely on the upcoming 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. We always speak. 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," she said. Analysts such as Sky Sports' Anton Toloui have weighed in, noting that while Wiegman would not have liked to exclude two of her most trusted players, the statistics support the decision.
Toloui pointed out that Toone has struggled to replicate her previous form under Manchester United’s new head coach Eva Olid, with key midfield metrics trending downward. Kelly’s limited starts for Arsenal—only in a 0‑0 draw with Crystal Palace and a narrow win over HB Koge—have also contributed to her omission. Both players will now need to prove themselves at the club level to earn a recall for future England assignments.
Overall, the squad selection reflects a blend of experience, emerging talent, and a clear message from Wiegman: performance on the pitch dictates inclusion, and the Lionesses must deliver when the stakes are highest.