Wiegman does not select Mead for England World Cup squad

National coach Sarina Wiegman has not selected Beth Mead for the World Cup. Arsenal’s 28-year-old star player tore her anterior cruciate ligament in the league game with Manchester United last November.

Mead was one of the standouts for the English soccer players, who became European champions at home last summer.

About Beth Mead, the national coach said, “She is so positive and is recovering well. But we would have taken a lot of risks to get her to the World Cup. If we bring her too early, she will get injured again.”

Right back Lucy Bronze (FC Barcelona) and central defender Millie Bright (Chelsea) can participate in the World Cup. Due to injuries, it was uncertain whether they would be in the selection, but that has now been confirmed.

Bright will also be the new captain now that Leah Williamson (Arsenal) is out due to a knee injury at the World Cup from July 20 to August 20 in Australia and New Zealand. She was already a reserve captain.

Notable detail: Bright had to learn the news that she will lead the team from the press conference. Wiegman had not yet told her herself.

Fran Kirby (Chelsea) is missing due to injury. Also missing is attacker Ellen White, who started every game at the previous European Championships, She quit professional soccer for good after the summer after suffering a perforated lung.

Of the 23-member selection, 16 were part of the group that became European champions in 2022.

Niamh Charles, Laura Coombs, Lauren James, Esme Morgan, Katie Robinson and Katie Zelem are playing for their countries for the first time at such a major tournament.

Apart from Mead and other injured players, the major absentee from the list is Manchester United defender Maya Le Tissier. The English Football Association has confirmed that Le Tissier, like attacker Jess Park and goalkeeper Emily Ramsey, is on standby.

According to Wiegman, Le Tissier was close. “It was a tough decision, but she just barely made it to 23,” Wiegman said.