Sarina Wiegman has named her first England women squad of the 2026/27 season, with the Lionesses preparing for a two-legged World Cup qualifying play-off against Greece.
The England women squad includes the return of captain Leah Williamson, while Chelsea midfielder Lexi Potter has received her first senior call-up. However, there is no place for Ella Toone or Chloe Kelly, who both miss out after difficult starts to the new season.
England Women Squad Sees Williamson Return
The biggest return in the England women squad is Williamson, who missed the June international fixtures through injury.
Her return gives Wiegman an experienced option in defence and sees the 29-year-old come back into the group as captain.
The defensive options also include Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, Niamh Charles, Grace Fisk, Alex Greenwood, Maya Le Tissier and Esme Morgan.
Charles is included after returning from injury, while Liverpool defender Fisk is also back in the squad.
In goal, Hannah Hampton, Khiara Keating and Anna Moorhouse have been selected.
Potter Earns First Senior Call-up
Chelsea midfielder Lexi Potter has earned her first senior call-up to the England women squad.
She has started three of her side’s first four games this season and scored in the 2-0 win over Birmingham earlier this month. Her performances have earned recognition from Wiegman.
Potter joins Laura Blindkilde Brown, Lucia Kendall, Erica Meg Parkinson, Georgia Stanway and Keira Walsh in the midfield group.
Parkinson also returns after receiving her first senior call-up in April, although she remains uncapped at senior level.
In attack, the England women squad contains Freya Godfrey, Lauren Hemp, Lauren James, Beth Mead, Jess Park and Alessia Russo.
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Toone and Kelly Miss Out
The most notable omissions from the England women squad are Toone and Kelly.
Toone has started three Women’s Super League games for Manchester United this season but was not involved in the club’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal on September 19.
Kelly, meanwhile, has not started a WSL match for Arsenal this season and has yet to complete 90 minutes for the club. Her last England omission came in February 2025.
Wiegman explained that the decision was based on the performances she has seen from both players, with competition for places also playing a role. Their absence is a notable change for this international window.
Chelsea forward Aggie Beever-Jones, Arsenal defenders Lotte Wubben-Moy and Taylor Hinds are also absent from the England women squad.
England Face Greece in October
The England women squad will now prepare for the first meeting with Greece at the Pankritio Stadium in Heraklion, Crete, on October 9.
The return leg will take place at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium on October 13, with England needing to progress to keep their World Cup qualification campaign moving forward.
If England progress to the second round of the play-offs, they will face either Slovakia or Ukraine later in the year. Those matches are scheduled for the final international window between November 24 and December 5.
The winner of that second-round tie will secure a place at next summer’s World Cup in Brazil.
For Wiegman, the immediate focus will be on getting the England women squad ready for Greece. With several established players missing and new faces coming into the group, the October fixtures will provide another test as England continue their route towards the World Cup.
Extra Time Notes
The latest England women squad has a mixture of familiar faces and some interesting changes ahead of the Greece play-off.
Williamson’s return is an important boost for Wiegman, while Potter’s first senior call-up gives the squad another young midfield option. At the same time, the omissions of Toone and Kelly show that places in the England women squad are not guaranteed, particularly with competition for positions increasing.
The focus will now turn to the two games against Greece, with England looking to take another step towards the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
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