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England Women Face Greece in Women’s World Cup Play-Off First Leg at Pankritio Stadium
England travel to Crete for first leg of Women's World Cup play-off vs Greece First leg Friday 9 October 17:30 BST in Crete; leg 13 October Leicester 19:30 BST
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First leg in Crete
England begin their 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup play-off campaign against Greece with the first leg due to kick off at 5.30pm BST on Friday 9 October at Pankritio Stadium in Crete, Greece, before the return leg at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday 13 October at 19:30 BST. Sarina Wiegman’s side travel after finishing second in their qualifying group behind Spain, and the BBC says the draw leaves England needing to win two rounds of home and away ties to qualify for the Women’s World Cup in Brazil. FourFourTwo frames the tie as a must-win fixture for the Lionesses, and it says England must qualify for the 2027 World Cup through play-offs after coming second to Spain in their qualifying group.
“The World Cup qualifying play-off first leg is due to kick off at 5.30pm BST on Friday 9 October at Pankritio Stadium in Crete, Greece.”
Opta Analyst says the Opta supercomputer makes England clear favourites, with the Lionesses winning the first leg in 85.1% of its simulations, and it adds that this will be the first ever meeting between Greece and England. The Independent says Greece finished top of Group L with four wins from four against Georgia and the Faroe Islands, and it notes that tonight’s match will be the first-ever senior meeting between the nations in women’s competition.
Toone recalled, Bronze out
Lucy Bronze returns to Chelsea for treatment after picking up an injury, and Sarina Wiegman calls up Ella Toone for Friday’s first leg in Heraklion, Crete. Wiegman said: "They have not been playing to their full potential," when explaining why Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly were left out of the initial squad. Wiegman described Bronze’s injury as "really small" and recalled Toone after Toone travelled to Greece from Spain.
Wiegman called up Toone after Bronze was ruled out with a minor injury ahead of the Women’s World Cup qualifier first leg away to Greece, and it adds that Toone has netted 24 goals in 69 England outings. Bronze has picked up an injury and returned to Chelsea for treatment, and Bronze turns 35 later this month.
What’s at stake
England’s play-off route runs through two legs against Greece, and the BBC says that if England beat Greece over two games, they will face the winners of Slovakia v Ukraine, with the away fixture played first. England will progress to a final round against either Slovakia or Ukraine if they win, and the Lionesses are aiming for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. Greece are the only team with a 100%-win record in UEFA Women’s 2027 FIFA World Cup qualification, while it also states that England are unbeaten in each of their last 41 fixtures when facing an opponent for the very first time.
“The game will be shown live on ITV1 and STV.”
Sky Sports frames the campaign as a must-prove moment after England’s 4-0 defeat to Spain, and it says Wiegman has selected a squad of reliables mixed with a few wild cards. Radio Times says the game will be shown live on ITV1 and STV, and it adds that BBC Radio 5 Live will carry radio coverage for the match.