Lexi Potter has received her maiden senior international call-up for England’s 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Play-Off against Greece in October 2026.
Potter’s inclusion comes after she enjoyed an impressive start to the season at Chelsea with one goal in five appearances, as she replaces Ella Toone whose form has dipped.
Erica Meg Parkinson is also recalled in midfield as Lotte Wubben-Moy is dropped in defence.
Up front, Chloe Kelly is omitted due to a decision to manage her game time following a hamstring injury,
In defence, Leah Williamson has been recalled after she missed June’s action due to injury, whilst Aggie Beever-Jones has too been left out.
“We have great respect for Greece, but our expectations of ourselves are clear,” explained Sarina Wiegman as she iterated that the Lionesses expect to win their play-off.
“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.”
Having missed out on one of four automatic qualification spots for next summer’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil, England visit Greece in the first leg of their play-off first round tie on Friday 9 October, which is scheduled for 19:30pm EEST (5:30pm BST) at Pankritio Stadium, Heraklion.
Wiegman’s Lionesses will then host Greece in the return leg on Tuesday 13 October at King Power Stadium, Leicester, with kick-off set for 7:30pm BST.
The winner of that tie will advance to the second play-off round where they will face the winner of Slovakia’s first play-off round tie against Ukraine over two legs.
Goalkeepers – Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Anna Moorhouse (Manchester City – on loan from Orlando Pride), Khiara Keating (Liverpool)
Defence – Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Gotham FC), Niamh Charles (Manchester City), Grace Fisk (Liverpool), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Leah Williamson (Arsenal)
Midfield – Laura Blindkilde Brown (Manchester City), Lucia Kendall (Aston Villa), Erica Meg Parkinson (North Carolina Courage), Lexi Potter (Chelsea), Georgia Stanway (Arsenal), Keira Walsh (Chelsea)
Forwards – Freya Godfrey (London City Lionesses), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Beth Mead (Manchester City), Jess Park (Manchester United), Alessio Russo (Arsenal)
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