Ella Toone has been added to England’s squad at a late stage for this month’s Women’s World Cup play-off matches against Greece.
The Manchester United midfielder was initially left out alongside Arsenal winger Chloe Kelly, with manager Sarina Wiegman explaining that neither player had reached their expected level in recent weeks.
Toone has registered 24 goals across 69 senior appearances for England. She helped the team win Euro 2022 and Euro 2025, and was also in the starting line-up for the 2023 World Cup final loss to Spain.
Reacting to her initial omission, Toone admitted that it had been a very challenging week and said no footballer wants to receive that kind of news.
Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze, meanwhile, has withdrawn from the squad and returned to her club while recovering from a minor injury picked up during last weekend’s league match against West Ham.
England’s players reached Crete on Wednesday evening ahead of Friday’s opening leg against Greece at the Pankritio Stadium in Heraklion.
The return fixture is scheduled for Tuesday, 13 October, at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium.
The successful team will meet Slovakia or Ukraine over two legs on 26 November and 5 December, with a place at next year’s Women’s World Cup at stake. Brazil will host the tournament from 24 June to 25 July.
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