Key Highlights:
- Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone has been handed a late recall to the England squad for the upcoming Women’s World Cup play-off ties against Greece.
- England head coach Sarina Wiegman praised Toone’s immediate resilience and professional response after she undertook a warm-weather training camp in Spain following her initial omission.
- Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze has withdrawn from the Lionesses squad to manage a minor injury sustained during recent Women’s Super League action against West Ham.
Sarina Wiegman Hands Ella Toone Late England Recall Ahead of Greece Clash
Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone has been handed a late call-up to the England squad for the Lionesses’ crucial Women’s World Cup play-off matches against Greece. The attacking midfielder, who has scored 24 goals in 69 senior appearances for her country, was surprisingly left out of the initial selection alongside Arsenal winger Chloe Kelly. Head coach Sarina Wiegman originally justified their omissions by stating that the pair had not played to their potential in my opinion in the last couple of weeks
.
Addressing her initial exclusion, Toone acknowledged the emotional toll of the decision, reflecting: It’s been a really difficult week. It’s not the news that any footballer wants.
Despite the setback, the Euro 2022 and Euro 2025 winner took proactive steps to maintain her sharpness, organizing an individual warm-weather training camp in Spain with her family. Her swift response ultimately caught the attention of the national team management, opening the door for an immediate return.
Warm-Weather Training in Spain Earns Toone High Praise
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Wiegman explained the reasoning behind the sudden change of plans, revealing that she was really impressed
with how Toone responded to being dropped. On Thursday—just a day ahead of the first leg—Toone traveled directly to Greece to join the rest of the Lionesses squad.
Detailing the player’s mindset, Wiegman said: Straight away, she was really disappointed not to get called up, but then she straight away wanted to do what was necessary.
The England manager further commended her dedication, adding: She trained really hard [in Spain], but also it was to enjoy a different environment and have some headspace there. From what she told me, that was really good.
Wiegman emphasized that the midfielder’s proactive attitude demonstrated essential character: I was really impressed and really happy that she did so and I was happy that she expressed herself.
She continued: Of course she was disappointed and there were lots of emotions, but straight away she wanted to fix this. That showed her resilience and grit to come back.
Lionesses Arrive in Crete as Lucy Bronze Withdraws
The Lionesses landed in Crete on Wednesday evening to finalize their preparations for Friday’s first leg against Greece at the Pankritio Stadium in Heraklion. While Toone provides a welcome reinforcement to the midfield ranks, England will have to navigate the upcoming fixtures without Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze. Bronze has left the international camp to return to her club to manage a minor injury picked up during last weekend’s league fixture against West Ham.
Following Friday’s meeting in Heraklion, England will host Greece in the second leg at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium on Tuesday, 13 October.
Why This Matters
The upcoming two-legged encounter is a pivotal step in England’s quest to secure qualification for next year’s Women’s World Cup, which will take place in Brazil from 24 June to 25 July. The winner of the tie between England and Greece will advance to a decisive two-leg play-off scheduled for 26 November and 5 December, where they will face either Slovakia or Ukraine. Having started in England’s 2023 World Cup final defeat by Spain, Toone’s reinstatement restores significant tournament experience to Wiegman’s squad at a vital juncture in their international campaign.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Ella Toone initially left out of the England squad?
England head coach Sarina Wiegman originally omitted Ella Toone and Arsenal’s Chloe Kelly because she felt they had not played to their potential in my opinion in the last couple of weeks
.
Why did Lucy Bronze withdraw from the Lionesses squad?
Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze left the England squad to return to her club to manage a minor injury sustained in league action against West Ham.
What must England do to qualify for the Women’s World Cup in Brazil?
England must overcome Greece across two legs, with the second match taking place at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday, 13 October. The aggregate winners will then play against either Slovakia or Ukraine over two legs on 26 November and 5 December to earn a ticket to Brazil.
