Key takeaways
- Chelsea: Twenty players feature across 14 senior national squads.
- Lexi Potter: Could make her England debut against Greece.
- Naomi Girma: Has withdrawn from the USA squad.
Chelsea Women’s October internationals bring World Cup play-offs, a possible England debut for Lexi Potter and meetings between club team-mates.
The senior schedule runs from 9 to 14 October, before Sonia Bompastor’s side resume their Women’s Super League campaign against Tottenham.
Here are the call-ups, fixtures and UK kick-off times supporters need.
Last updated: 6 October 2026. All dates and times below are British Summer Time.
When could Lexi Potter make her England debut?
Potter has two opportunities to earn her first senior cap: away to Greece on Friday 9 October and in the return at Leicester’s King Power Stadium on Tuesday 13 October.
The midfielder joins Hannah Hampton, Lucy Bronze, Keira Walsh and Lauren James following her first England senior call-up.
Selection gives Potter the opportunity to make another significant step, although Sarina Wiegman has yet to confirm who will play.
England’s first leg kicks off at 17:30, with the home game starting at 19:30.
The FA’s broadcast guide confirms both matches will be shown live on ITV.
Chelsea Women’s World Cup play-off fixtures
Seven countries featuring Chelsea players enter the first round of Europe’s qualifying play-offs.
Each team listed below plays its first leg away on Friday 9 October, followed by the home return on Tuesday 13 October. Italy and Switzerland’s away fixtures take place at neutral venues.
| Country | Chelsea players | Opponents | 9 October | 13 October |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | Hampton, Bronze, Walsh, James, Potter | Greece | 17:30 | 19:30 |
| Italy | Giulia Dragoni | Belarus | 17:15 | 17:15 |
| Netherlands | Veerle Buurman, Wieke Kaptein | Hungary | 19:00 | 19:45 |
| Republic of Ireland | Katie McCabe | Kazakhstan | 12:00 | 19:30 |
| Scotland | Erin Cuthbert | Czechia | 18:00 | 19:15 |
| Sweden | Nathalie Bjorn | Lithuania | 17:05 | 18:00 |
| Switzerland | Livia Peng | Israel | 17:30 | 18:30 |
The Netherlands’ home kick-off follows the Dutch federation’s fixture listing, which gives 20:45 local time, or 19:45 BST.
Would winning these ties secure World Cup qualification?
No. October’s winners advance to a second two-legged tie later in the year.
According to UEFA’s play-off draw and format, England would face Slovakia or Ukraine if they overcome Greece.
Scotland and Sweden could meet in round two, potentially putting Cuthbert and Bjorn on opposite sides of a decisive tie.
Seven of the eight second-round winners qualify directly for Brazil 2027, based on the qualifying league rankings. The remaining winner enters the inter-confederation play-offs.
Which Chelsea players have international friendlies?
Chelsea’s official international squad guide also confirms the following selections.
| Country | Chelsea players | Opponents and kick-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Ellie Carpenter | Germany: 9 Oct, 19:30; Haiti: 13 Oct, 20:00 |
| Canada | Kadeisha Buchanan | Denmark: 10 Oct, 00:00; Denmark: 12 Oct, 20:30 |
| France | Sandy Baltimore, Melvine Malard | Latvia: 10 Oct, 20:00 |
| Germany | Sjoeke Nusken | Australia: 9 Oct, 19:30; Japan: 14 Oct, 16:45 |
| Jamaica | Becky Spencer | Mexico: 9 Oct, 21:00; Mexico: 13 Oct, 21:00 |
| Japan | Maika Hamano | Haiti: 9 Oct, 19:00; Germany: 14 Oct, 16:45 |
| USA | Alyssa Thompson | Spain: 10 Oct, 19:30; Spain: 14 Oct, 00:00 |
The midnight fixtures start at the beginning of the dates shown. Canada’s first game therefore falls on Friday night into Saturday for UK viewers; the USA’s second falls on Tuesday night into Wednesday.
Why is Naomi Girma absent?
Girma initially featured in the USA selection but has since withdrawn.
Bompastor previously explained that the defender suffered a training knock and could miss several weeks. Our Naomi Girma injury update covers that assessment.
Thompson remains selected for Emma Hayes’ two matches against Spain.
When do Chelsea Women play again?
Chelsea host Tottenham at Stamford Bridge on Sunday 18 October, kicking off at noon.
The club’s confirmed WSL television schedule lists Sky Sports as the broadcaster.
