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 team’s most recognizable forwards, Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly. Both players have found themselves on the outside of the squad for different reasons, prompting a candid explanation from Wiegman about the standards she expects from her squad. Kelly, who has struggled to earn a full 90‑minute appearance for Arsenal this season, has not started a single match.
Her last omission from the national team dates back to February 2025, making this the first time she has been left out in over a year. Toone, meanwhile, has featured in three Women's Super League fixtures for Manchester United, but she was absent from the 1‑1 draw with Arsenal on September 19 and ultimately did not make the cut for the Greece tie. "The primary factor is that the level they displayed on the pitch was not what I anticipate from England players," Wiegman said when addressing the decision.
"I’ve spoken with both of them, and there is intense competition for places – that’s the reality we’re dealing with." She went on to acknowledge the difficulty of the call, stressing her belief in the two athletes. "It has been a very tough decision for both Ella and Chloe. I have a lot of confidence in their abilities and we monitor them closely, but we expect more from them and we know they are capable of delivering that higher standard," Wiegman added. The manager expressed hope that the two will respond positively to the feedback.
"I hope they take this as motivation to improve and come back stronger than before. I discussed the situation with Chloe, focusing solely on what I observed during matches. The same conversation took place with Ella." The rest of the squad features a blend of seasoned internationals and emerging talent. Goalkeepers include Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Khiara Keating (Liverpool) and Anna Moorhouse (Manchester City, on loan from Orlando Pride).
The defensive line is made up of 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, 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 been selected. The attacking options consist of Freya Godfrey (London City Lionesses), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Beth Mead (Manchester City), Jess Park (Manchester United) and Alessia Russo (Arsenal). In addition to Toone and Kelly, Chelsea forward Aggie Beever‑Jones, Arsenal’s Lotte Wubben‑Moy and Taylor Hinds were also omitted.
Leah Williamson, the 29‑year‑old captain, returns after missing the June fixtures – a 4‑0 loss to Spain and a 3‑0 win over Ukraine – due to a hamstring problem. Meanwhile, 20‑year‑old Chelsea midfielder Lexi Potter earns her first senior call‑up after starting three of her club’s first four games and scoring in a 2‑0 victory over Birmingham earlier in the month.
Wiegman praised Potter’s development, noting that the coaching staff had been monitoring her progress closely and that her recent performances “have really impressed us.” Other notable inclusions are Liverpool defender Grace Fisk, who makes a comeback after a spell out with injury, and uncapped North Carolina Courage midfielder Erica Meg Parkinson, who debuted in April. Manchester City full‑back Niamh Charles also returns, having featured as a substitute in the champions’ 1‑0 win over Charlton Athletic on Saturday. England will face Greece in a two‑legged tie, with the first match scheduled for October 9 at the Pankritio Stadium in Crete and the return fixture on October 13 at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium.
If the Lionesses progress, they will meet either Slovakia or Ukraine in the next round of play‑offs later in November and December, with the ultimate prize being a spot at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. Wiegman emphasized the team’s respect for Greece but reiterated the clear expectations she holds for her players.
"We respect Greece, but we know exactly what we need to achieve. Our goal is to win both matches, deliver strong performances, and move one step closer to World Cup qualification," she said.
She also highlighted the excitement of reuniting the squad after a brief break. "It’s always thrilling to get back together as a group. The players will arrive motivated and ready for the next challenges. We look forward to traveling to Crete for our first ever encounter with Greece, and then returning to Leicester, where we have enjoyed many positive moments together in the past.
Our supporters will be behind us, and it will be fantastic to play in front of them again after a few months away," Wiegman added. Off the pitch, Wiegman remains under contract through the end of the next World Cup cycle and has not yet secured a new deal that would extend her tenure beyond 2027. When asked about a possible contract extension during a Tuesday press conference, she stressed that her focus remains entirely on the upcoming Greece play‑offs.
"We have regular conversations about the future, but right now my priority is Greece and getting us qualified for the World Cup," she explained. "I speak with Mark Bullingham, the FA chief executive, every two weeks about current matters and future planning, but there is nothing new to report at this moment.
Our immediate aim is to qualify." Analyst Anton Toloui of Sky Sports weighed in, noting that while Wiegman would not have wanted to drop two of her most trusted attackers, the statistics simply did not support their inclusion. He pointed out that Toone has struggled to replicate her usual creative spark under Manchester United’s new head coach Eva Olid, with key midfield metrics trending downward. Kelly’s limited starts for Arsenal – only a handful of appearances, including a goalless draw against Crystal Palace and a narrow win over HB Køge – have also factored into the decision. Both players have previously bounced back from setbacks; Kelly, for instance, was omitted four months before Euro 2025 but fought her way back into the squad and played a pivotal role in England’s successful campaign.
The hope now is that she and Toone can repeat that resilience and return stronger for future selections. The article concludes with a reminder that fans can watch related video content using a Chrome browser for optimal accessibility, and it includes a promotional note about a Super 6 competition offering a chance to win £1 million.