The England women’s team has entered a new phase of its World Cup qualification campaign, and Sarina Wiegman’s latest squad selection is a statement of intent. Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly, two of the most experienced and historically impactful players in the Wiegman era, have been left out of the 23-player roster for the October play-offs against Greece. This is not merely a tactical adjustment; it is a managerial declaration that form, not legacy, will dictate who wears the Lionesses’ jersey in the final push for Brazil 2024.
The omissions come after a summer of underwhelming domestic performances. Kelly, Arsenal’s forward, has started just one of the club’s four Women’s Super League games this season, accumulating a paltry 124 minutes. Her most recent outing was a late substitute appearance in Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Chelsea, a result that underscored her limited impact. Toone, meanwhile, has struggled to replicate the midfield dominance that made her a tournament game-changer at the 2022 European Championships. Both players have been part of every major tournament squad under Wiegman, yet their exclusion reflects a hard truth: consistency is now the non-negotiable standard. Wiegman’s justification—‘football’—is blunt. The levels weren’t there, and the competition demands more.
The squad shake-up extends beyond Toone and Kelly. Aggie Beever-Jones, recovering from an ankle injury, has also been omitted, despite her potential. Chelsea’s forward started only one WSL game this season before her injury, and Wiegman has instead retained Freya Godfrey, who has been a reliable presence for London City Lionesses. The manager’s approach is clear: she will prioritize players who are currently contributing at the highest level, even if it means sidelining those with deeper historical ties. This philosophy was evident in the 4-0 defeat to Spain in June, where England’s lack of cohesion cost them automatic qualification. The play-offs are now a chance to prove that the team has evolved beyond past inconsistencies.
The stakes could not be higher. England’s double-header against Greece—first in Crete on October 9, then in Leicester on October 13—will determine their path forward. A victory in both matches would secure a place in the second round of the play-offs, where they would face either Slovakia or Ukraine. The winners of that leg will earn their spot in Brazil. Wiegman’s squad is a reflection of this urgency. Players like Leah Williamson, who missed the Spain defeat and the Ukraine win due to injury, return to the fold, reinforcing the manager’s belief in their leadership. The omissions of Toone and Kelly, however, send a warning: the Lionesses will not tolerate complacency in the final sprint to the World Cup.
This is not just about two players. It is about the future of England’s campaign. Wiegman’s decision to pick on form over reputation is a calculated risk, one that could either solidify the team’s path to Brazil or expose deeper structural issues. The next two months will reveal whether England’s newfound discipline is enough to overcome the challenges ahead—or if the team is still searching for the formula that defines them as world-beaters.
