Wiegman leaves Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly out of England squad
September 29, 2026 15:30
England manager Sarina Wiegman has left Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone and Arsenal forward Chloe Kelly out of her 23-player squad for the Women's World Cup qualifying play-off against Greece. Wiegman said the duo "have not been playing to their potential" and that was the reason for their omission.
KEY CONTEXT
Toone, 27, and Kelly, 28, both played key roles as England won Euro 2022 and Euro 2025. Wiegman told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Of course, I still believe in these players. They are really good and have shown so much for us. But that is also why I didn't pick them this time, because they have not played to their potential in my opinion in the last couple of weeks. I had those conversations with them and that was very hard to take. They took it well and of course, they want to work on that."
Wiegman addressed reports linking Kelly's absence to injury, saying: "I had the conversation with Chloe and for me, it was just what I saw on the pitch. I kept that with football with her."
SELECTION CHANGES AND RETURNS
Wiegman included captain Leah Williamson, who returns after missing June's 4-0 defeat by Spain and 3-0 win over Ukraine. There is a first senior call-up for Chelsea midfielder Lexi Potter, 20, who has started three of Chelsea's opening four matches and was a standout in their 1-0 win over Arsenal. On Potter, Wiegman said: "Her performances were just really good... She plays with a lot of courage, a lot of understanding and her decision-making is really good. Her technical ability, we have seen, is really good too."
Eighteen-year-old Erica Meg Parkinson, uncapped, is recalled after impressing since joining North Carolina Courage in the summer. Manchester City full-back Niamh Charles, who returned from injury as a substitute in City's 1-0 win over Charlton Athletic, is included. London City Lionesses forward Freya Godfrey and Liverpool defender Grace Fisk are the other uncapped players in the squad.
OMISSIONS
In addition to Toone and Kelly, Chelsea forward Aggie Beever-Jones and Arsenal defenders Lotte Wubben-Moy and Taylor Hinds did not make the 23-player group.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
England face Greece in a two-legged play-off first in Crete on Friday 9 October (17:30 BST) and then in Leicester on Tuesday 13 October (19:30 BST). If England win the tie, they progress to round two of the play-offs where they can compete for a place in next summer's Women's World Cup in Brazil.