Playing at the World Cup is the pinnacle of any footballer’s career. The chance to represent one’s country in the biggest tournament is an opportunity that only comes around once every four years.
Sadly for some players, an unfortunately timed injury will keep them from realising this dream. Several high-profile players are missing from the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, while a number have picked up injuries at the tournament which has thrown their participation into doubt.
A spate of ACL injuries in particular has struck the women’s game in the past year, leading to calls for more to be done to protect players. Tournament heavyweights such as the United States and England will be without some of their best players due to this wave of knee injuries.
GO DEEPER
What is behind the ACL-injury epidemic ruling out Women’s World Cup stars?
Here are the biggest names who will be missing in Australia and New Zealand, starting with a trio of European champions, along with those who are nursing injuries picked up at the tournament…
Players at the tournament nursing injuries
Wendie Renard (France)
France captain Wendie Renard is an injury doubt for her country’s next game at the Women’s World Cup, the Group F clash against Brazil on Saturday.
