WOMEN'S WORLD CUP
England’s Beth Mead unlikely to make World Cup
Lioness manager Sarina Wiegman claims that ‘only a miracle’ could see the striker make the England squad after her ACL rupture.
Arsenal and England striker Beth Mead sustained a torn cruciate ligament last November as she played for her club side in a WSL game against Manchester United.
The injury was a major setback for the striker who was awarded ‘Player of the Tournament’ at Euro 2022 as her goals helped England secure the title at Wembley Stadium last summer.
Earlier in 2023, England manager Sarina Wiegman stated that she would give the striker plenty of time to recover as the tournament in Australia/New Zealand looms on the horizon.
“I don’t want to push it,” Wiegman said. “She’s had so many things going on in her life (Mead’s mother also passed away earlier in the year). We’ll see how her rehab goes then we’ll look at the future.”
‘A miracle needed’
Speaking to the media this week upon announcing her England squad that will face Brazil and Australia on 6 and 11 April, the Dutch coach stated: “Beth’s doing well, she’s in her rehab, but the World Cup is actually too early. We have said she is not in our plans now”.
“But, if a miracle happens and she recovers fast, then we will reconsider it - but at this moment, I don’t expect that.”
England face Brazil at Wembley Stadium on 6 April in the UEFA-CONMEBOL Finalissima game ahead of taking on Australia in Bentford the following Tuesday.