Wiegman does not select Mead for England’s World Cup selection

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

Mead was one of the stars of the English football players, who became European champions in their own country last summer.

Of 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 part of the selection, but that has now been confirmed.

Bright will also be the new captain as Arsenal’s Leah Williamson is out of the World Cup from July 20 to August 20 in Australia and New Zealand with a knee injury. She was already a reserve captain.

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

Fran Kirby (Chelsea) is missing due to injury. Striker Ellen White, who started every match at the previous European Championship in the base, is also not included. She stopped as a professional football player after the summer after a perforated lung.

Of the 23-strong 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 country at such a major tournament for the first time.

Aside from Mead and others injured, the big 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 hard decision, but she just missed 23.”