World Cup playoff: England kick off in Crete against Greece

TVS News AI, editorially supervised, presents World Cup playoff: England kick off in Crete against Greece.

Today England face Greece in the first leg of the World Cup playoff semi-final. Kick-off on the Mediterranean island of Crete is at 5:30pm BST. What you need to know before the match: coach Sarina Wiegman is sending out a reshuffled defence - and the Greek side is already waiting in the wings.

What's at stake today

The playoff semi-final is the final hurdle before the tournament. Whoever wins both legs books their ticket. Lose - or fall short on goal difference - and the season is over before it really begins.

For England, the away trip to Crete means: hand out no gifts, take no unnecessary risks. The return leg at home is meant to finish the job - but only if the first leg doesn't become the stumbling block.

Wiegman reshuffles the defence and sends a signal

Compared to the last World Cup qualifier against Ukraine in the summer, Wiegman has made two changes in defence. Leah Williamson and Alex Greenwood start - they replace Jess Carter and Niamh Charles.

The changes read like a signal for more experience in the back four - ahead of an away match where stability counts.

Ahead of the match, Wiegman also singles out Toone - a hint at her role in attack.

How Greece line up

The Greek lineup is confirmed: Petaloti starts in goal. In the back four play Giannaka, Gkouni, Markou and Paterna. The midfield is formed by Drakogiannaki, Brame and Moraitou. Up top wait Sarri, Papatheodorou and Brouksair - the system: 4-3-3.

With three nominal strikers, Greece are banking on pace in transition - England must close the spaces.

What happens next

At 5:30pm BST the ball rolls in Crete. The return leg follows - then in front of a home crowd in England. Until then, the message for the Lionesses: take a result that holds up in the second leg.

As of: 9 October 2026, before kick-off of the first leg in Crete. More info in the Guardian live blog.