England Women: Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly miss out as Sarina Wiegman names squad to face Greece in World Cup qualifiers
England manager Sarina Wiegman has named a 23-player squad for next month’s World Cup qualifying play-off against Greece; Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly not included; captain Leah Williamson returns after missing June's fixtures with injury
Tuesday 29 September 2026 12:16, UK
England manager Sarina Wiegman has named a 23-player squad for next month’s World Cup qualifying play-off against Greece, with Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly both missing out.
Kelly has yet to complete 90 minutes for Arsenal this season and has not started a game. The last time she was not called up by England was February 2025.
Midfielder Toone has also missed out on a place despite starting three of United's Women's Super League fixtures, although she did not feature in their 1-1 draw with Arsenal on September 19.
"The main reason is that I think the levels weren't what I expect from them on the pitch," explained Wiegman of her decision to leave out Kelly and Toone.
"I have had a conversation with them and there is big competition going on and that is basically what it is."
As well as that pair, Chelsea forward Aggie Beever-Jones and the Arsenal's Lotte Wubben-Moy and Taylor Hinds have also been omitted from the squad.
However, captain Leah Williamson, 29, does return after missing June's 4-0 defeat by Spain and the 3-0 victory over Ukraine with a hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, Chelsea midfielder Lexi Potter earns her first call-up to the senior squad and there is also return for both Liverpool defender Grace Fisk and the uncapped North Carolina Courage midfielder Erica Meg Parkinson after her debut in April.
- Final Group A3 table | WCQ fixtures and results
- Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺
And Manchester City full-back Niamh Charles also makes the squad having made her comeback from injury as a substitute in the WSL champions' 1-0 win over Charlton Athletic on Saturday.
England face a double header against Greece, first at the Pankritio Stadium in Crete on October 9, before the return meeting at Leicester City's King Power Stadium on October 13.
Should the European champions, who were runners-up at the 2023 World Cup, progress to the second round of the World Cup play-offs, they will face either Slovakia or Ukraine over two legs during the final international window of the year in November and December.
The winners at that stage will secure qualification for next summer's tournament in Brazil.
"We have great respect for Greece but our expectations of ourselves are clear," said Wiegman. "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."
