Beth Mead, England’s top scorer at Euro 2022, is not named in the squad for the Women’s World Cup because she has not fully healed from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The 27-year-old Arsenal attacker has not played since November and was a huge doubt.

Tottenham striker Beth England, who hasn’t played since last summer, is in the squad after scoring 12 goals in her last 12 Women’s Super League games.

Millie Bright, a Chelsea centre-back who has been sidelined with a knee injury since March, has been named to the 23-man squad.

Sarina Wiegman, England’s head coach, stated Bright would captain the team in the absence of injured defender Leah Williamson.

Midfielder Fran Kirby has already been ruled out due to injury, while Barcelona defender Lucy Bronze has been called up despite having knee surgery in April.

Wiegman stated that she did not believe Mead would be ready for the event in Australia and New Zealand.

“She’s so positive and doing so well, but with the timeframe she had, we would have had to take so many risks to get to the World Cup,” Wiegman said.

“I’m not willing to take the risk of pushing her too hard and injuring her again.” We must look after the players.”

Manchester United striker Nikita Parris and defender Maya le Tissier are both out, although Le Tissier has been placed on the bench with uncapped goalkeeper Emily Ramsey and attacker Jess Park.

Steph Houghton, a Manchester City defender who captained England for eight years, has not been called up despite injuries in defense prompting some to clamor for her return.

Laura Coombs, Chelsea’s Lauren James and Niamh Charles, Manchester City’s Esme Morgan, Manchester United’s Katie Zelem, and Brighton’s Katie Robinson are among the six players who will compete in their first big competition.

On July 22, England will meet Haiti in their first match in Australia.