England vs Greece: Lionesses World Cup Play-Off Preview, Kick-Off Times and Squad
England play Greece in the first leg of their Women’s World Cup play-off at the Pankritio Stadium in Heraklion, Crete, on Friday 9 October, kicking off at 5:30pm BST. The second leg follows at the King Power Stadium in Leicester on Tuesday 13 October at 7:30pm BST, England Football confirmed. The England vs Greece tie is the first of two play-off rounds the European champions must win to reach the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
England are in the play-offs because they finished second to Spain in their qualifying group. Captain Leah Williamson returns to the squad, while Chelsea midfielder Lexi Potter has earned her first senior call-up.
England vs Greece Kick-Off Times
- First leg: Greece v England, Friday 9 October, Pankritio Stadium, Heraklion, 5:30pm BST (5:30pm WAT)
- Second leg: England v Greece, Tuesday 13 October, King Power Stadium, Leicester, 7:30pm BST (7:30pm WAT)
Meanwhile, fans should check local listings for television coverage. In the UK, England Football publishes broadcast details closer to each match.
Why the Lionesses Are in the Play-Offs
England won five of their six qualifying games, Yahoo Sports reported. However, a 4–0 defeat to Spain in their penultimate match proved decisive. Spain finished top on head-to-head record and goal difference and took the group’s automatic place.
As a result, the Lionesses must come through two rounds of play-offs. England’s 3–0 win over Ukraine in their final group game was not enough to change the standings.
How the World Cup Play-Off Format Works
UEFA has 11 direct places at the 2027 tournament, with a possible 12th through FIFA’s intercontinental play-off, according to England Football.
Round 1 runs from 7 to 13 October. If England beat Greece, they will face the winner of Slovakia against Ukraine in Round 2, between 26 November and 5 December. The seven best-ranked Round 2 winners qualify directly, while the eighth goes into the intercontinental play-off.
England Squad for Greece
Sarina Wiegman named a 23-player squad. Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly were left out, along with Aggie Beever-Jones, Lotte Wubben-Moy and Taylor Hinds, Hayters reported.
- Goalkeepers: Hannah Hampton, Khiara Keating, Anna Moorhouse
- Defenders: Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, Niamh Charles, Grace Fisk, Alex Greenwood, Maya Le Tissier, Esme Morgan, Leah Williamson
- Midfielders: Laura Blindkilde Brown, Lucia Kendall, Erica Meg Parkinson, Lexi Potter, Georgia Stanway, Keira Walsh
- Forwards: Freya Godfrey, Lauren Hemp, Lauren James, Beth Mead, Jess Park, Alessia Russo
Most notably, Williamson is back after missing the June fixtures through injury. In addition, Parkinson returns after making her debut in April, and Niamh Charles is included after recovering from injury.
What Wiegman Said About England vs Greece
Wiegman made England’s aims clear when she named the squad. “We are here to win these two games,” she said, adding that the team wanted to move a step closer to the World Cup, as quoted by England Football.
She had also welcomed the draw back in June. However, she stressed that the focus was on preparing properly for the ties, Just Women’s Sports reported.
Lionesses in Club Form
Meanwhile, several England players arrive in strong form. Lauren Hemp scored twice in Man City’s 4–2 win over Arsenal, while Hampton and Walsh were key figures in Chelsea’s 1–0 win over Arsenal earlier in the season.
Finally, the 2027 finals run from 24 June to 25 July in Brazil. For more on the tournament, read our report on Netflix’s coverage plans.
