The Lionesses won five of their six group matches earlier in the year, but it wasn't enough to secure an automatic place in the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2027, which will be held in Brazil.

England will play Greece over two legs in Round 1 during the October international break. If they come out on top, they will face the winners of Slovakia's tie against Ukraine in Round 2 of the play-offs, which will be contested in late November and early December.

Sarina Wiegman's side will travel to the Pankritio Stadium in Heraklion for the first leg on Friday 9 October. The match kicks off at 7.30pm local time, which will be 5.30pm in the UK. The return leg will be held on Tuesday 13 October at the King Power Stadium in Leicester at 7.30pm.

Chelsea's experienced England contingent of Lucy Bronze, Hannah Hampton, Lauren James and Keira Walsh have all been selected by Wiegman, and there is also a first call-up for Chelsea Academy graduate Lexi Potter after she has impressed with a string of appearances in our first team.

Striker Aggie Beever-Jones is on England's reserve list after recently suffering a small injury and is only just returning to fitness.

Potter signed a three-year contract with Chelsea at 17, becoming the first female player to agree a professional deal at this age. She has been part of the England youth setup from Under-17 level onwards, captaining the Under-17 team that reached the semi-finals of the 2023 UEFA European Championships in Estonia.

She was also named captain ahead of the 2024 UEFA Euro U19 Championships and once again reached the semi-finals of the competition at Under-19 level. Most recently, Potter was part of the Under-23 side that won the Women's U23 European Competition in April 2026.

England squad in full

Goalkeepers: Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Khiara Keating (Liverpool), Anna Moorhouse (Manchester City on loan from Orlando City)

Defenders: Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Gotham FC), Niamh Charles (Manchester City), Grace Fisk (Liverpool), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Emse Morgan (Washington Spirit), Leah Williamson (Arsenal)

Midfielders: 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), Alessia Russo (Arsenal).