Seven big players set to miss the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup

A number of big names will be missing when the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup kicks off on 20 July.

Injuries, especially in the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), have sidelined players who would have been key for their teams during the tournament.

From Leah Williamson to Vivianne Miedema, we have compiled a list of only seven of these players.

1. Beth Mead (England)

Beth Mead is regarded as one of the best female players in the world.

She was in scintillating form during last year’s Euro tournament where she scored six times to emerge top scorer.

The Arsenal star also provided four assists while consistently delivering superlative performances that guided England all the way to the title.

Sadly, Mead sustained an ACL injury in late 2022. Her absence will be to prove to be a painful one for the Three Lionesses.

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2. Vivianne Miedema (The Netherlands)

Miedema concluded the 2021-22 Women’s Super League season with 14 goals and eight assists. She finished just behind Australia’s Sam Kerr.

The 26-year-old is a household name and one that possesses dynamism and sleekness in her overall play. She is also technically gifted and has a sharp eye for goal.

Being an important part of the Netherlands set up, Miedema will rue missing this year’s Women’s World Cup. She also has over 100 caps for the Netherlands.

Miedema will miss this year’s World Cup after she ruptured her ACL in 2022.

3. Leah Williamson (England)

England will be without their captain at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Williamson is capable of leading from the centre-back position or in midfield, demonstrating her versatility.

Three months ago, Williamson suffered a devastating ACL injury and has been ruled out of this year’s tournament.

The 26-year-old will be another huge loss for Sarina Wiegman’s team.

4. Ngozi Okobi (Nigeria)

The only name on this list not related to injury concerns.

When Nigeria coach Randych Waldrum released his final list of 23 players to represent the West Africa nation at this year’s World Cup, the least expected name to be missing from the list was Okobi’s.

Okobi has been Nigeria’s finest midfielder for years and was a shock exclusion from Nigeria final squad.

She has done a fine job pulling the strings from the middle of the park and will be missed. Okobi is tactically sound and technically gifted and is capable of splitting defences with her incisive passing ability.

5. Marie-Antoinette Katoto (France)

PSG striker Katoto has been very unlucky when it comes to representing France.

The 24-year-old was left out of the 2019 World Cup squad despite being the top scorer in Division 1 Féminine. Last year she became PSG’s all-time leading goalscorer.

In an unfortunate situation during the 2022 Euro tournament, she sustained an ACL injury during the group stage. This injury ruled her out for the rest of the season with PSG and now this year’s World Cup.

6. Fran Kirby (England)

A recurring injury which requires surgery will keep Kirby out of this year’s Women’s World Cup.

Her contributions have been invaluable for both Chelsea and England over the past few years. Goals against Northern Ireland and Sweden at Euro 2022 helped secure England’s win at that tournament. She’s such an important figure and will be surely missed at the World Cup.

Kirby was nominated for the Ballon d’Or in 2021. The 30-year-old has won two PFA Women’s Players’ Player of the Year awards in her career.

She is presently Chelsea’s all-time leading goal scorer.

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7. Janine Beckie (Canada)

With over a century appearances for Canada, Beckie will now miss the World Cup following an ACL injury in March.

The 28-year-old sustained the dreaded injury while playing for her club Portland Thorns.

She won gold with Canada at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.