It’s hard not to imagine England national team manager Sarina Wiegman cutting a frustrated figure in her offices at St Georges Park when trying to select her Women’s World Cup squad. Decimated by the injuries to crucial players, Wiegman will have to rethink her strategy extensively and make alternate selections to replace them.
In recent weeks, Wiegman has lost key players who fuelled England’s successful run in the 2022 Euros and who were expected to play integral roles at the World Cup. Last month, captain and centre-back Leah Williamson tore her ACL, an injury that takes at least six months to recover from. Then, attacking midfielder Fran Kirby joined the injury list earlier this month, announcing surgery to her knee. Forward Beth Mead tore her ACL late last year, and despite hopes she’d be back before the World Cup, Wiegman recently suggested it would take “a miracle” for her to make it.
These are three high-profile players who Wiegman relied on heavily in previous tournaments, and the retirements of Ellen White and Jill Scott…
