England begin their World Cup play-off campaign against Greece this week with qualification for next summer’s tournament in Brazil the priority, but Sarina Wiegman’s side must also demonstrate that they have learned from their heavy defeat by Spain.
The European champions narrowly missed out on automatic qualification, collecting 15 points from a possible 18. Their fate was sealed by a 4-0 loss to Spain in June — England’s heaviest defeat for 17 years and the largest suffered during Wiegman’s tenure.
That result exposed a clear gap between the teams, with Spain dominating possession and controlling the match through a distinct technical style. England had expected a closely fought contest, leaving Wiegman to ask: “What I’m trying to do now is think, what caused this?”
Greece, ranked 55 places below England, now provide the opposition in a two-legged first-round tie. The Lionesses are strong favourites to progress, but the matches offer Wiegman an opportunity to test her players in a campaign that has already delivered a significant setback.
England’s World Cup play-off route
England travel to Crete for the first leg at the Pankritio Stadium in Heraklion on Friday, before hosting Greece at Leicester’s King Power Stadium next Tuesday.
Victory would take them into a second play-off round scheduled for late November. There, England would meet either Slovakia or Ukraine, with the away fixture again played first.
Wiegman has responded to the disappointment against Spain with a squad combining established figures and less familiar options. Leah Williamson returns after missing the June fixtures, while Chelsea midfielder Lexi Potter has received her first senior call-up.
Chloe Kelly and Ella Toone have been left out, signalling a greater emphasis on current form rather than reputation. Potter has impressed alongside Keira Walsh for Chelsea, while Aston Villa’s Lucia Kendall and North Carolina Courage teenager Erica Meg Parkinson are also included.
The changes do not amount to a complete overhaul, but they give England an opportunity to inject fresh energy while maintaining the experience of their established leaders. Wiegman will need both elements during two matches in which any failure to progress would carry serious consequences.
England’s senior players remain central to the team’s hopes. Walsh’s control in midfield, Lauren Hemp’s threat from the wing, Lauren James’s creativity and Alessia Russo’s finishing will all be important, while Williamson and Lucy Bronze are expected to provide authority in defence.
France, Germany and Spain have already secured their places at the World Cup. England must now negotiate the play-offs before they can join Europe’s leading nations in Brazil next summer.
