England’s senior women’s team, under the stewardship of manager Sarina Wiegman, has announced a 23‑player roster for the upcoming World Cup qualifying play‑off against Greece. The selection has generated considerable discussion because two of the country’s most recognizable attacking talents, Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly, have been left out of the squad.
Kelly’s omission is particularly striking given her reputation as a prolific forward for Arsenal, yet she has yet to complete a full 90‑minute spell for the club this season and has not earned a start in any competition. The last occasion she was excluded from an England call‑up dates back to February 2025, highlighting how unusual this decision is for the veteran striker. Midfielder Ella Toone also finds herself on the outside despite featuring in three of Manchester United’s Women’s Super League (WSL) fixtures this term.
Although she was an unused substitute in United’s 1‑1 draw with Arsenal on 19 September, her overall contribution was deemed insufficient to secure a place in Wiegman’s final list. Wiegman addressed the exclusions directly, stating, “The main reason is that I think the levels weren’t what I expect from them on the pitch.” She added that a candid conversation had taken place with both players, emphasizing the intense competition for places within the squad. “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,” the manager explained.
“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, “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].” The manager’s remarks underline a clear performance‑based rationale rather than any off‑field issues.
The rest of the squad comprises a blend of experienced internationals 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 features 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 fixtures due to a hamstring problem, returns to the squad for the first time since those setbacks.
In midfield, the roster includes 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). Notably, 20‑year‑old Lexi Potter earns her maiden senior call‑up after a strong start to the season, having started three of her club’s first four games and scoring in a 2‑0 victory over Birmingham City. Wiegman praised Potter’s development, saying, “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 midfield also sees the return of Grace Fisk (Liverpool) and the uncapped Erica Meg Parkinson (North Carolina Courage) after her debut in April, while full‑back Niamh Charles (Manchester City) makes the cut following a substitute appearance in the WSL champions’ 1‑0 win over Charlton Athletic.
Other notable omissions, besides Toone and Kelly, include Chelsea forward Aggie Beever‑Jones and Arsenal’s Lotte Wubben‑Moy and Taylor Hinds. Their exclusion further illustrates the depth of talent available to Wiegman and the fine margins that separate selection from disappointment. England’s schedule against Greece consists of a two‑legged tie: the first match will be played at the Pankritio Stadium in Crete on 9 October, followed by a return fixture at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium on 13 October. Should England, the reigning European champions and 2023 World Cup runners‑up, prevail, they will advance to the next round of the play‑offs where they will face either Slovakia or Ukraine over two legs in the final international window of the year, slated for November and December.
The victor of that encounter will secure a place at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. Wiegman reiterated the team’s ambitions, 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.” She added that the squad is eager to reconvene, noting, “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.” The manager also expressed enthusiasm about the venues, saying, “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’s contract runs until the conclusion of the next summer’s World Cup, and negotiations for an extension beyond 2027 remain unresolved.
When questioned about a potential new deal during a press conference, she emphasized her focus on the immediate task, explaining, “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.” Analyst Anton Toloui of Sky Sports weighed in on the decision, noting that while Wiegman would not have wanted to exclude two of her most trusted players, the statistical evidence left little room for debate. He observed that Toone has struggled to replicate her previous form under Manchester United’s new head coach Eva Olid, with key midfield metrics trending downward.
This decline was evident in her muted performance against Arsenal, where she failed to produce the moments of magic that have defined her career. Regarding Kelly, Toloui highlighted her limited starts for Arsenal – only in a goalless draw with Crystal Palace and a narrow win over HB Køge, where she was substituted before any breakthrough. After missing the Euro 2025 squad, Kelly fought her way back into the national team and played a pivotal role in England’s successful campaign, making her omission from the Greece play‑off squad all the more surprising.
Both players now face the challenge of using this setback as motivation to return stronger. The manager’s public confidence in their ability to improve, combined with the competitive environment within the squad, suggests that Toone and Kelly could very well earn their places for future fixtures if they respond positively to the feedback. In summary, England’s squad for the Greece play‑off reflects a balance of seasoned veterans, rising stars, and strategic selections aimed at delivering the best possible performance in two crucial matches.
The exclusions of Toone and Kelly underline the high standards set by Wiegman, while the inclusion of newcomers like Lexi Potter signals a forward‑looking approach. As the team prepares to travel to Crete and then Leicester, the focus remains squarely on securing qualification for the 2027 World Cup and maintaining England’s status as a powerhouse in women’s football.