Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly left out of England squad for World Cup play-offs

Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly have been left out of Sarina Wiegman's England squad for the World Cup play-offs against Greece, with Leah Williamson returning after injury.

Brit Brief 29/09/2026 10:38

Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly left out of England squad for World Cup play-offs — Toone and Kelly left out of England squad for World Cup play-offs

Sarina Wiegman has left Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly out of her England squad for the forthcoming World Cup play-off games with Greece.

Manchester United midfielder Toone and Arsenal forward Kelly were both omitted from the 23-player squad. 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.

Toone has also missed out 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.

Williamson returns as captain

England captain Leah Williamson is in line for a return for the Lionesses after she was named in the squad. The 29-year-old missed June's fixtures with Spain and Ukraine because of a hamstring injury but is set to return for the October double-header as England aim to book a spot at next year's tournament in Brazil.

New faces in the squad

Chelsea midfielder Lexi Potter has earned her first call-up to the senior squad. Uncapped Erica Meg Parkinson, yet to make her debut, has earned another call after she was included in the squad for the April internationals. Uncapped Liverpool defender Grace Fisk has also been named in the squad.

England will face Greece in the first leg at the Pankritio Stadium in Crete on October 9 before the Lionesses host the second leg at Leicester's King Power Stadium four days later. Should England progress, they will face either Slovakia or Ukraine in round two, with the winners progressing to Brazil 2027.