YOUNG GUNS – which young Lionesses will step up?

From Lexi Potter and Erica Meg Parkinson to Freya Godfrey, there are young Lionesses eagerly awaiting their senior debuts.

But who will get on the teamsheet as England take on Greece – twice – as both nations try to qualify for the 2027 World Cup? Georgia Hamblett talks to the players as they prepare

It was a beautiful day at St George’s Park on Tuesday (below). Sun shining, autonomous lawn mowers trimming the grass, England flag waving gently in the slight breeze. Calm before the action. Action being the Lionesses’ next step towards World Cup qualification. 

Soon the orange inflatable defenders on the training pitch will be replaced by real ones – the white and blue kit of the Greek team. This will be England’s first-ever meeting with Greece – exciting, and slightly adrenalin-inducing. 

To secure their spot at the 2027 World Cup, England first need to beat Greece in a two-legged first-round play-off. The first leg is away in Greece on 9th October, and the second at the King Power Stadium in Leicester on 13th October. Should they beat Greece, they’ll go on to face the winner of Slovakia and Ukraine at the end of November. Win this and they’ll be on the plane to Brazil for summer 2027. 

Who’s the favourite?

The Lionesses are clear favourites, but Greece are significant underdogs. 

England are currently ranked 4^th in FIFA rankings, Greece 59^th. The Lionesses have been unbeaten in every one of their last 41 fixtures when facing a brand-new opponent – something for Greece to perhaps be nervous about. 

In League A of the World Cup qualification, only Spain and Germany scored more goals than the Lionesses, with Spain being the side that blocked England’s path to automatic qualification. Under the leadership of Sarina Wiegman – who has just celebrated five years in charge – the Lionesses have won 70% of their games, which is the highest win percentage of any long-serving permanent England manager, male or female. If there’s a manager to get England to the World Cup and more, it always feels that Wiegman is the one – aka “In Sarina We Trust”!

There’s no doubting the Lionesses are a world-class team. But Greece should not be underrated.

Midfielder Erica Meg Parkinson says: “We definitely respect Greece as an opponent but we also know our strengths as a team.” Which feels the appropriate mentality to have.

Greece have won all four of their World Cup qualifying matches, winning their group ahead of the Faroe Islands and Georgia. Ahead of similarly-ranked teams, they are competitive. But against the likes of England? We will see. 

One thing feels certain. Greece have nothing to lose. They have never qualified for a major international tournament before – how far will the momentum of this big opportunity take them?

What to expect?

We expect England to dominate the game, due to their track record, and the feeling in the England camp.

Erica Meg Parkinson says: “We are expecting them to try and lock up their own box and possibly play a lower, defensive style of football. So, I think for us that means we want to try and dominate with our performance, keep possession, then try unlock their box and get chances. I feel like we’re very confident in that.”

Key Players

First and foremost, Alessia Russo. With 30 England goals and 67 caps, she remains England’s biggest threat up front – even if the goals haven’t flowed yet this season for her club, Arsenal. 

Then there’s the hugely experienced Beth Mead, with 40 goals and 30 assists for England, now making an impact at Man City, for whom Lauren Hemp is the non-stop flying winger, herself with 21 international goals.

Georgia Stanway, now at Arsenal, is also capable of incredible goals from midfield – recognised with her recent accolade of England’s top goal scorer for the 2025-26 season – with 33 goals in 93 caps in her career so far.

With 103 caps, Keira Walsh knows how to control the tempo and keep England in possession, and if she’s fit, potentially has her club team mate Lauren James just ahead of her. Plus Walsh’s best mate Leah Williamson the rock behind them at centre-half. 

On to the opposition. Greece have nowhere near the same depth as England, but Kallisti Brouksair – aka Calliste Brookshire of Rangers – is a strong forward who has scored three goals in nine appearances for Greece. Midfielders Georgia Chalatsogianni and Athanasia Moraitou – who both play in the Swiss league – and forward Vasiliki Giannaka are also regulars we might expect to see in this game. 

Give youth a chance 

Wiegman has left some big names out of the England squad, while giving some younger talent their first chance. Initially, Chloe Kelly and Ella Toone were not selected, though Toone has now been called up following a minor injury to Lucy Bronze. Freya Godfrey, from London City Lionesses, is in the squad again, awaiting that elusive first full cap. Youngster Lexi Potter (below, right) has been on the squad list from the start, following her first senior England call-up. 

The 20-year-old Chelsea midfielder has been a revelation in a double-pivot with Walsh, and says: “When I got the call up, I was really excited and obviously really grateful for the opportunity. Since I’ve been here, the girls have been really welcoming.”

Potter insists she wasn’t expecting it, saying: “That’s not the way I am. I like to stay focused every day and just be the best version of myself I can be. I don’t like to think too far ahead, and just do the best I can every day.”

The young Lioness shares how she got the news: “I was at home; I still live at home. I was in my room, just watching my phone, and when I got the call, I was like: ‘oh wow.’ I went downstairs and told my mum and she was really proud of me.”

Arguably Potter is the most likely to make her debut against Greece, but when asked if she thinks it’s certain she’ll get the nod in the upcoming game, she replies: “No, definitely not. It would be a dream of mine to play for England, but right now I just want to do the best I can in training and help the team in whatever way I can.”

18-year-old teammate, Erica Meg Parkinson, says she is “just grateful to be here and to be training with top class players again.” She continues: “to be called up again – it’s great to be recognised”, adding that “all the girls are lovely, I’ve had a great time on and off the pitch.”

Next Gen: Under-23s

With more young players in the senior squad, one wonders if the young Lionesses – the under 23s – are sensing there are shirts up for grabs. And they are all there at St George’s Park, rubbing shoulders with the seniors… But chatting to Everton midfielder, 22-year-old Hannah Silcock, and Crystal Palace forward, 23-year-old Lexi Lloyd-Smith (above, left) this week, their mentality seems very grounded. 

Hannah Silcock says:

“I’ve not spoken to her [Sarina Wiegman] personally but she is always coming and watching our games and has come and spoken to the Under-23s about the pathway. When you’re playing for the Under-23s, you’re always thinking you want to play well because you want her to see you play well. If you’re consistent with it, your opportunity will come and obviously with Lexi and Erica, they’ve done that and they’ve got those opportunities. 

“When I’m playing for the Under-23s, I’m thinking about playing for the Under-23s and training well. But it’s nice when the seniors are here as well because you get a glimpse into what they’re doing and everyone’s ambition is not to be in the Under-23s, it’s to be in the seniors. But when you’re here, it’s important you push yourself as much as possible and give yourself the best chance to move up.”

Lexi Lloyd-Smith says:

“The girls that have broken through have obviously deserved it. They all work hard and they all bring something different. I think that’s something we’ve got to keep in our heads that we’ve all got to bring something different, and we all don’t need to mould into one certain player. We’ve got a group here who all want to push on to seniors, that’s all of our dreams. 

“Having the seniors here gives you inspiration. You want to be on that pitch. It’s important having them around. Seeing them in the gym, they come up and speak to us. We’re all dedicated girls who want to be pushing and getting up into the seniors.”

Who knows – could some of these young players be called up should England qualify for the World Cup in Brazil next year? Only time will tell. 

But first…

It’s important to not think too far ahead though. As Erica Meg Parkinson says: “Our main objective is to get into the next round and that’s what we’re focusing on.”

One game at a time. 

Watch Greece v England – the next match in England’s World Cup Qualification campaign – on ITV1 at 5:30pm, Friday 9^th October. 

England v Greece will then be shown on ITV1 at 7:30pm, Tuesday 13^th October. 

Photos: Georgia Hamblett, Helen M Jerome