Sarina Wiegman, head coach of the England women's national football team, has reinstated midfielder Ella Toone to the squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifying play-off against Greece, following an injury to right-back Lucy Bronze. Toone had initially been omitted from the squad, alongside Chloe Kelly, as Wiegman expressed expectations for higher performances from both players.
The decision to recall Toone came just a day before the crucial two-legged fixture, with the first leg scheduled to take place in Crete, Greece, and the second leg set for Leicester’s King Power Stadium on Tuesday. The winner of the tie will advance to face either Slovakia or Ukraine for a place in the Women’s World Cup.
Wiegman acknowledged that leaving Toone out was a difficult call and noted the midfielder’s positive response to her initial omission. “She was very disappointed,” Wiegman said, “but the first thing she did was ask, ‘OK, I’m going to get back, how am I going to do that?’ The way she spoke about it was really good.” Reports indicate that Toone had been in Spain on holiday but maintained her training regime, which contributed to her preparedness for the late call-up.
In replacing injured defender Lucy Bronze with Toone, Wiegman signaled confidence in the squad’s defensive depth and flexibility. She stated that the team had sufficient defensive options and that adding Toone offered a more balanced lineup given the tactical approach planned for the match. Wiegman emphasized the versatility within the squad and justified the unconventional decision to bring in a midfielder to fill the void left by a defender.
The Lionesses are under pressure to secure qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and these play-off matches represent a critical hurdle. The team’s tactical choices and squad management in the lead-up to these games reflect the coaching staff’s strategy to maximize the squad’s strengths while managing injuries and player form. Toone’s late inclusion serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of team selection ahead of important fixtures in international tournament qualification.