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 sparked considerable discussion because two of the squad’s most recognizable attacking talents, Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly, have been omitted. Both players have been regular fixtures in the national side in recent years, but Wiegman explained that recent form and performance levels on the pitch dictated the decision. Kelly, who currently plies her trade with Arsenal, has struggled to secure a full 90‑minute appearance this season.
In fact, she has not started a single league match for the Gunners, and her last involvement in a starting role dates back to early 2025. The lack of game time has evidently influenced the coach’s assessment, leading her to conclude that Kelly’s current contribution does not meet the standards required for a crucial play‑off encounter. Wiegman said, "The main reason is that I think the levels weren't what I expect from them on the pitch," underscoring the performance‑based rationale behind the exclusion.
Similarly, midfielder Ella Toone, a key figure for Manchester United Women, was left out despite having started three of United’s Women’s Super League (WSL) fixtures this campaign. Toone did not feature in United’s 1‑1 draw with Arsenal on 19 September, a match that highlighted her recent dip in influence. Wiegman noted that Toone’s recent metrics and overall impact have not matched the expectations she holds for her national team players. The coach emphasized that the decision was difficult for both athletes, stating, "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 high‑profile omissions, the squad also excludes Chelsea forward Aggie Beever‑Jones, Arsenal’s Lotte Wubben‑Moy, and Taylor Hinds. However, the roster does feature a number of seasoned internationals and emerging talents across all positions. 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 – returning after a hamstring injury that kept her out of the June 4‑0 loss to Spain and the 3‑0 win over Ukraine). Midfielders: Laura Blindkilde Brown (Manchester City), Lucia Kendall (Aston Villa), Erica Meg Parkinson (North Carolina Courage – uncapped but making her debut in April), Lexi Potter (Chelsea – earning her first senior call‑up after three starts and a goal in a 2‑0 victory over Birmingham), 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).
Lexi Potter’s inclusion marks a significant milestone for the 20‑year‑old Chelsea midfielder. Wiegman praised her development, saying, "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 welcomes back Grace Fisk (Liverpool) and Erica Meg Parkinson (North Carolina Courage) after their recent appearances, and Niamh Charles (Manchester City) after a comeback from injury, where she featured as a substitute in the WSL champions’ 1‑0 win over Charlton Athletic.
England will contest a two‑legged tie against Greece, with the first match set for 9 October at the Pankritio Stadium in Crete and the return fixture scheduled for 13 October at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium. Should the Lionesses prevail, they will advance to the final round of the World Cup play‑offs, where they could meet either Slovakia or Ukraine in November‑December.
The victor of that tie will secure a place at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. Wiegman reiterated the team’s mindset, 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. 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 remains under contract through the end of the upcoming World Cup and has not yet signed a new agreement that would extend her tenure beyond 2027. When questioned about a possible extension, she emphasized that her focus remains squarely on the Greece play‑offs and the ultimate goal of World Cup qualification.
She added, "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, noting that while the omissions were painful for both players and fans, the statistics support Wiegman’s choices.
Toone has struggled to replicate her previous season’s creativity 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 against Crystal Palace and a narrow win over HB Koge—have similarly hampered her case for selection. Both Toone and Kelly have previously bounced back from setbacks; Kelly, for instance, was left out four months before Euro 2025 but fought her way back into the squad and played a pivotal role in England’s successful campaign. The current situation offers them another opportunity to demonstrate resilience and reclaim their places in future line‑ups.
The upcoming fixtures against Greece will therefore not only determine England’s path to the World Cup but also serve as a proving ground for the new and returning players who have earned the coach’s trust. The Lionesses aim to deliver performances that reflect their high standards, while the excluded stars will be watching closely, hoping to translate the feedback into improved displays at club level and a possible recall in future selections.