England Women host Greece at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in the second leg of their FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 qualifying play-off. The Lionesses hold a 3-1 aggregate lead following their victory in the first leg.
Why it matters: This match is a key step for England as they seek to secure a place in the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. A win or draw against Greece will see them advance to the next round.
England is one game away from clinching their spot at the 2027 World Cup.
The Lionesses need to maintain their two-goal lead from the first leg to progress.
Winning this play-off would set up a meeting with either Slovakia or Ukraine in the next round.
Driving the news: The match kicks off at 7:30 pm BST and will be broadcast live on ITV4, with coverage beginning at 6:45 pm. Fans can also stream the game on ITVX.
England triumphed 3-1 in the first leg held in Crete, with goals from Georgia Stanway, Maya Le Tissier, and Alessia Russo.
Le Tissier's goal marked her first for the senior national team.
Kallisti Brouksair scored for Greece, providing a glimmer of hope for the visitors.
State of play: England's performance in the first leg was not without its challenges, prompting manager Sarina Wiegman to call for improvements ahead of the return fixture.
England will need to address defensive lapses that allowed Greece to score.
A single-goal defeat would still see England advance on aggregate.
The team has been bolstered by the return of players, though some, like Lucy Bronze, are managing injuries.
The big picture: England finished second in their qualifying group behind world champions Spain, necessitating their participation in these play-offs.
Progressing through this round is imperative for England to avoid an additional intercontinental play-off.
The second-round play-off window runs from November 26 to December 5, 2026.
England's ranking would secure direct qualification if they win both rounds.
What they're saying: Ahead of the match, Wiegman emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and improving upon their previous performance.
"We need to bring our best game to Leicester," Wiegman said. "We want to secure our place in the World Cup with style."
Fans have expressed optimism, rallying around the team as they prepare for the decisive match.
By the numbers: The aggregate score currently stands at 3-1 in favor of England.
England's first-leg victory featured three different goal scorers.
Kickoff for the second leg is set for 7:30 pm BST.
Coverage begins at 6:45 pm on ITV4, with streaming available on ITVX.
What's next: Should England win or draw, they will advance to face either Slovakia or Ukraine in the next round of play-offs.
The FA expects to announce the team line-up around 6:15 pm, 75 minutes before the match.
Fans can tune in for live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra.
England is looking to build on their strong performance from the first leg to secure their spot in Brazil.