Leah Williamson and Beth Mead’s World Cup absences explained

England fans go extra mile to take in Women's World Cup

England Lionesses are looking to follow up their European Championship triumph at the Women’s World Cup, but have been forced to compete without two of Sarina Wiegman’s star players. Both Leah Williamson and Beth Mead have been absent in Australia and New Zealand, instead cheering on their team-mates from the sidelines.

Arsenal’s Williamson captained the team to glory last year, having only taken up the armband permanently in April 2022 following Steph Houghton’s injury woes. However, the 26-year-old was not named in Wiegman’s squad for the World Cup after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament in April.

She limped out of the Gunners’ defeat to Manchester United and was forced to undergo knee surgery, ruling her out of the tournament as such injuries continue to plague the game’s leading stars. Mille Bright has taken over captain duties but Williamson has travelled to support the team despite being unable to play.

“The girls have got as good a chance as anyone,” she told Sky Sports. “I can’t wait to watch them and I’m so proud of them already. I’ll be out there with my brother so it’s a nice opportunity to soak it up and do it on the other side of the fence for a little bit.”

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Both Williamson and Mead with the same injury, as the Euro 2022 Golden Boot winner has been out of action since November and unable to recover in time to be named in Wiegman’s 23-woman squad. Such knee injuries have grown rampant in the sport, as Chelsea star Fran Kirby also needed surgery and has been sidelined since February and will not feature at the World Cup.

“Not going [to the World Cup] obviously has been a little bit of a tough pill to swallow,” Mead told talkSPORT. “I was very lucky to go to the 2019 World Cup so after experiencing one, what it’s all about, how amazing it is, it’s been tough not being able to go.

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“Unfortunately it came a little bit too soon with my injury, I think I wanted to play my best football out there and I probably wouldn’t have hit the heights that I’m capable of when I’m fully back fit

“I’m excited for the World Cup obviously after last year winning the Euros the women’s game has hit new heights. It’s become massive so obviously again it’s got to be the best tournament yet and hopefully England can do pretty amazing in that one!”

Wiegman still has a strong squad to chose from, however, despite notable absences and will look to build on their opening win over Haiti by returning triumphant down under.

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