Sarina Wiegman has called six Manchester City players into England’s squad for the World Cup qualifying play-off against Greece. Anna Moorhouse, Niamh Charles, Alex Greenwood, Laura Blindkilde Brown, Lauren Hemp and Beth Mead are all in Sarina Wiegman’s group, according to City’s official announcement on 29 September.
The six Manchester City players join a Lionesses squad facing Greece over two legs in October as they aim to move closer to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. However, winning this tie would mean reaching another play-off round, rather than securing qualification immediately.
Six Manchester City players in England’s group
Goalkeeper Moorhouse joins defenders Charles and Greenwood, midfielder Blindkilde Brown and forwards Hemp and Mead in the group. As a result, City’s representation runs through the squad from the goalkeeper position to the attack.
The Manchester City players’ call-ups confirm places in the squad, not starting roles in either game. Therefore, this report does not claim that all six will play together or that Wiegman has guaranteed anyone match minutes.
Meanwhile, Manchester United’s separate official announcement also lists those six Manchester City players in England’s full squad. United’s Maya Le Tissier and Jess Park join them in the squad.
England face Greece in October
For the Manchester City players and their England team-mates, City’s report says the first leg will take place in Heraklion on Friday 9 October, with kick-off at 5.30pm UK time. Then England host the return match at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium on Tuesday 13 October, at 7.30pm UK time.
In addition, the club describes the Greece tie as a play-off semi-final. The winners will face the winners of Slovakia’s two-legged meeting with Ukraine in a play-off final during November and December.
That makes the October games an important step in the qualifying route. Nevertheless, neither a squad announcement nor the first tie itself guarantees England a place at next summer’s tournament.
Confirmed selection, with match decisions to follow
The main news for City supporters is the number of Manchester City players involved in England’s next competitive assignment. The six call-ups give fans several players to follow across the two games.
This report does not provide an injury update, ticket availability or a predicted England line-up. Check those details against the latest announcements from the relevant organisers and teams.
For now, Moorhouse, Charles, Greenwood, Blindkilde Brown, Hemp and Mead are the Manchester City players Wiegman has selected for the Greece play-off. Their individual involvement will become clear when Wiegman announces her matchday teams.
Featured image: Manchester City Academy Stadium, July 2023. Photo: Arne Müseler / arne-mueseler.com / CC-BY-SA-3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to 16:9; archival venue illustration, not England duty.
Lauren Hemp in England v Czech Republic, 11 October 2022. Photo: James Boyes / CC BY 2.0. source photo. Cropped.
