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 both Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly. The decision has sparked a flurry of commentary, given the stature of the two forwards within the national set‑up.
Kelly’s club situation has been a key factor in Wiegman's assessment. The Arsenal striker has yet to complete a full 90‑minute spell this season and has not started a single league match. Her last omission from an England squad dates back to February 2025, making this the first time she has been left out in over a year.
Toone, who has been a regular starter for Manchester United in the Women’s Super League, also failed to make the cut despite featuring in three league games. She was an unused sub in United’s 1‑1 draw with Arsenal on 19 September, a performance that did not convince the Dutch manager.
"The primary reason is that the level they displayed on the pitch was not what I expect," Wiegman explained when questioned about the two omissions. "I have spoken with both players, and there is intense competition for places. It was a very difficult decision for them, and I still have great belief in their abilities. We know they can contribute more, and I hope they respond positively to this feedback." Wiegman added that the conversation with Kelly centred on what she observed during matches, emphasizing that the decision was based purely on performance metrics rather than personal considerations.
"They took the feedback well and in a constructive way, but it is never easy to receive such a message. I hope they come back stronger than before," she said.
The rest of the squad features a blend of experienced campaigners 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). Midfield options 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).
In addition to Toone and Kelly, Chelsea’s Aggie Beever‑Jones, Arsenal’s Lotte Wubben‑Moy and Taylor Hinds were also omitted. However, veteran defender Leah Williamson, who missed the June fixtures against Spain (a 4‑0 loss) and Ukraine (a 3‑0 win) due to a hamstring problem, is back in the squad at age 29. A notable inclusion is 20‑year‑old Lexi Potter, who earns her first senior call‑up after starting three of Chelsea’s first four league matches and scoring in a 2‑0 victory over Birmingham.
Wiegman praised her development, saying, "She has grown a lot. We monitored her last season as she was already on the fringes, but this season she has taken a big step forward.
Her performances have impressed us, and she deserves this opportunity. She is comfortable on the ball and we expect to see that in Crete." The squad also sees the return of Liverpool defender Grace Fisk and uncapped North Carolina Courage midfielder Erica Meg Parkinson, who made her England debut in April. Manchester City full‑back Niamh Charles, who recovered from injury and appeared as a substitute in the WSL champions’ 1‑0 win over Charlton Athletic, is also included.
England will contest a two‑legged tie against Greece, with the first match scheduled for 9 October at the Pankritio Stadium in Crete and the return leg on 13 October at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium. If the Lionesses prevail, they will move on to the next stage of the World Cup play‑offs, where they could face either Slovakia or Ukraine in November‑December. The winner of that encounter will secure a place at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. Wiegman stressed the team’s mindset ahead of the fixtures: "We have great respect for Greece, but our own expectations are crystal clear.
We are here to win both games, deliver strong performances and get one step closer to World Cup qualification. It is always exciting to regroup as a group, and the players will arrive motivated and ready for the next challenges." She also looked forward to the travel aspect, noting, "Playing in Crete will be a first for us, and then returning to Leicester will bring back some familiar moments.
Our supporters will be behind us, and it will be wonderful to perform in front of them after a few months away." Beyond the on‑field matters, Wiegman’s contractual situation was addressed in the same press conference. The Dutch coach, who is contracted through the end of the 2027 World Cup, has not yet signed a new deal extending her tenure beyond that point. When asked about progress on a contract extension, she replied that her focus remains entirely on the Greece play‑offs and the goal of qualifying for the tournament.
"We have regular conversations about the future, but right now my priority is Greece and securing our place at the World Cup," she said, adding that she speaks with FA chief executive Mark Bullingham every two weeks to keep lines of communication open. Analyst Anton Toloui of Sky Sports summed up the situation, stating that while Wiegman would not have wanted to leave out two of her most trusted attackers, the statistics left little room for debate.
He highlighted that Toone has struggled to replicate her usual creativity under Manchester United’s new manager Eva Olid, with key midfield metrics declining. Kelly’s lack of starts at Arsenal has similarly impacted her selection prospects; her only starts this season came in a goalless draw with Crystal Palace and a narrow win over HB Koge, after which she was substituted while the score remained level.
Both players have a history of bouncing back from setbacks—Kelly, for instance, was omitted from the squad four months before Euro 2025 but fought her way back to become a key figure in England’s successful campaign. Toone, too, will be looking to rediscover the form that made her a regular starter for the national side.
In summary, the Lionesses head into the Greece play‑off with a squad that blends seasoned veterans, rising stars, and a few surprising exclusions. The upcoming matches will test the depth of England’s talent pool and provide a platform for newcomers like Lexi Potter to make an impact, while also offering Toone and Kelly a chance to prove their worth in future selections.