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Friday, October 9, 2026

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Ella Toone drafted into England squad

Ella Toone has been called up to the England squad for the upcoming FIFA Women's World Cup Round 1 play-off ties against Greece.

Lucy Bronze will return to Chelsea to manage a minor injury sustained in league action last weekend.

The squad arrived in Crete yesterday evening ahead of Friday's first leg against Greece at the Pankritio Stadium in Heraklion. The Lionesses will then return to England for the second leg at Leicester City's King Power Stadium on Tuesday 13 October.

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Sarina Wiegman has named 23 players for England’s FIFA Women’s World Cup two-legged round one play-off against Greece.

In the first squad of the 2026-27 season, Chelsea midfielder Lexi Potter earns her first call-up to the seniors, whilst there is a return for the uncapped Erica Meg Parkinson after April’s debut call-up. Both of whom have featured across the England pathway. Captain Leah Williamson returns after missing June’s fixtures with injury.

England’s next step on the road to Brazil sees them travel to the Pankritio Stadium in Heraklion, Crete, on Friday 9 October (5.30pm BST). The Lionesses will then host the second leg at the home of Leicester City on Tuesday 13 October (7.30pm). Should they be successful, a round two tie awaits later in the year with a place at the finals at stake.

The home match will be England’s third at the King Power Stadium, where they most recently played in June 2025, securing a 7-0 win over Jamaica ahead of UEFA Women’s EURO 2025.

Sarina Wiegman said: “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.

“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.”

Should England, runners-up at the 2023 World Cup, progress to Round Two of the World Cup play-offs, they will face either Slovakia or Ukraine over two legs during the final international window of the year (24 November - 5 December). The winners at that stage will secure qualification for next summer’s tournament in Brazil.