England’s senior women’s team, under the stewardship of manager Sarina Wiegman, has announced a 23‑player roster for the forthcoming World Cup qualifying play‑off against Greece. Notably absent from the list are forward Ella Toone and striker Chloe Kelly, both of whom have been regular fixtures in the Lionesses’ recent campaigns. Kelly’s club situation has been a key 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.
The last occasion she missed an England call‑up was back in February 2025, making her omission this time particularly striking for fans and pundits alike. Toone, who operates primarily in midfield for Manchester United, also failed to secure a place despite featuring in three of the club’s Women’s Super League fixtures.
She was an unused substitute in United’s 1‑1 draw with Arsenal on 19 September, a match that highlighted her reduced influence on the pitch. Wiegman addressed the selections in a post‑announcement press briefing, stating, “The main reason is that I think the levels weren’t what I expect from them on the pitch.” She went on to explain that the decision was rooted in the intense competition for places within the squad and the need to reward players who are currently delivering the performances required at the international level. “The conversation with both Chloe and Ella was difficult,” Wiegman continued.
“I have a lot of belief in them, we monitor them closely, and I know they are capable of contributing more. I hope they respond positively to this feedback and come back stronger than before.” She emphasized that the feedback was taken in a constructive manner, even though it was undoubtedly a hard message to receive.
In addition to Toone and Kelly, Chelsea forward Aggie Beever‑Jones, Arsenal’s Lotte Wubben‑Moy, and Taylor Hinds were also left out of the squad. On the upside, captain Leah Williamson, aged 29, returns after missing the June fixtures – a 4‑0 loss to Spain and a 3‑0 win over Ukraine – due to a hamstring problem.
A bright spot for the squad is the inclusion of 20‑year‑old Chelsea midfielder Lexi Potter, who earns 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, noting, “She has grown a lot, and her performances have impressed us.
She is comfortable on the ball and we expect to see that confidence on the international stage.” The squad list also features a blend of experienced veterans and emerging talent: **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). Grace Fisk and the uncapped North Carolina Courage midfielder Erica Meg Parkinson also make a return, while Manchester City full‑back Niamh Charles is back after a substitute appearance in the WSL champions’ 1‑0 win over Charlton Athletic. England’s schedule sees them face Greece in 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.
Victory in this play‑off would see the Lionesses advance to the next round of the World Cup qualification process, where they would meet either Slovakia or Ukraine in a two‑match series scheduled for November and December. The winner of that encounter secures a place at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. Wiegman stressed the team’s mindset, saying, “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 reunite, travel to Crete for the first ever meeting with Greece, and then return to Leicester, a venue that has provided memorable moments for the team in the past. The manager also addressed speculation surrounding her own contract. Wiegman, who is contracted through the end of the upcoming World Cup, has not yet signed an extension that would keep her beyond 2027. When asked about the status of a new deal, she replied that her focus remains entirely on the Greece play‑off and the subsequent qualification goals.
“We have regular conversations about the future, but right now the priority is Greece and then the World Cup,” she said, noting that she continues to speak with FA chief executive Mark Bullingham every two weeks. Analyst Anton Toloui of Sky Sports weighed in on the exclusions, noting that while Wiegman would not have wanted to leave out two of her most trusted players, the statistics simply did not support their inclusion at this stage. Toloui highlighted that Toone’s form has dipped under Manchester United’s new head coach Eva Olid, with several key midfield metrics trending downward. Similarly, Kelly’s limited starts for Arsenal – only a handful, including a 0‑0 draw with Crystal Palace and a narrow win over HB Koge – have contributed to her omission.
Both players have a history of bouncing back after setbacks; Kelly, for example, was dropped four months before Euro 2025 but fought her way back into the squad and played a pivotal role in England’s successful campaign. The expectation now is that Toone and Kelly will use this disappointment as motivation to improve their club performances and earn future call‑ups. Overall, the squad selection reflects a blend of seasoned internationals, promising youngsters, and a clear message from Wiegman: performance on the pitch dictates selection, and the Lionesses are determined to secure their spot at the next World Cup.