Women’s World Cup 2023: Sarina Wiegman names squad with no place for injured Beth Mead, Fran Kirby and Leah Williamson

Sarina Wiegman has announced her 23-player squad for the Women’s World Cup, and there is no place for Beth Mead.

The 2022 Ballon d’Or Feminine runner-up has been omitted as she continues her recovery from an ACL injury.

Captain Leah Williamson, who led the Lionesses to Euro 2022 glory is also excluded after rupturing her ACL in a Women’s Super League match against Manchester United in April, while Fran Kirby also misses out through injury.

There was better news for Millie Bright and Lucy Bronze, who have both been included despite injury concerns of their own. Wiegman confirmed that Bright will take the captaincy role in Williamson’s absence.

Meanwhile, Wiegman has named six players that could all be playing in their first major senior tournament, with Niamh Charles, Laura Coombs, Lauren James, Esme Morgan, Katie Robinson and Katie Zelem all included.

Bethany England has also come back into the reckoning after a stellar first season with Tottenham to bolster the attacking ranks.

“We know we will face tough challenges from strong teams, and we will have to be competitive from the first match on July 22. We will do everything to be at our very best again this summer.

“It is important the players get some well-deserved time to rest and recover over the next few weeks before we start the final preparations to get them ready.

“We learned a lot of positive lessons about how to get the players fit, fresh and ready from the EURO last summer and we know what we have to do to make sure we hit the ground running in the right way when the tournament starts.”

Despite an impressive first season for Manchester United, Maya Le Tissier has been left out of the squad.

She is however on the standby list, alongside club team-mate Emily Ramsey and Manchester City forward Jess Park.

The Lionesses begin their World Cup campaign against Haiti on July 22 in Brisbane, before facing Denmark in Melbourne on July 28 and concluding the group stage against China on August 1 in Adelaide.

The tournament gets underway in Auckland when co-hosts New Zealand play Norway in Auckland on July 20.

England World Cup Squad:

Goalkeepers: Mary Earps, Hannah Hampton, Ellie Roebuck

Defenders: Millie Bright, Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, Niamh Charles, Alex Greenwood, Esme Morgan, Lotte Wubben-Moy

Midfielders: Laura Coombes, Jordan Nobbs, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Katie Zelem, Kiera Walsh

Strikers: Rachel Daly, Beth England, Lauren Hemp, Lauren James, Katie Robinson, Chloe Kelly, Alessia Russo