Top 10 big names who will be missing FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 due to injuries

Injuries have already had their say as some of the biggest stars are set to miss the tournament

In a fortnight's time, the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 gets underway with New Zealand squaring up against Norway. While the excitement is building up and the fans are getting ready for the global event, there are quite a few big players who will be missing the mega event due to injury.

While several teams have suffered because of injuries, it won't be wrong to say that the reigning European champions England have had the worst time of late with Beth Mead, Leah Williamson and Fran Kirby all out injured.

We at Khel Now have prepared a list of 10 big names who will be missing the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023:

10. Beth Mead (England)

The 28-year-old English superstar is all set to miss the global event. The Arsenal forward is amongst the best in the world and her absence will surely be a big loss for the Lionesses. Mead was on fire last time out in the European Championship as she found the back of the net on six occasions and also registered four assists. She ended the tournament as the highest goal scorer and played an integral role in England's triumph. An ACL injury that she suffered in late 2022 is the reason for her absence.

9. Becky Sauerbrunn (United States)

The skipper of the United States Women’s National Team announced via social media in an emotional post that she wouldn't be taking part in this year's World Cup. The 38-year-old has been ruled out of the tournament due to a foot injury. While USWNT do have players to fill her void they will surely miss her experience.

8. Leah Williamson (England)

Williamson is another English star on the list. The 26-year-old England skipper is also out because of an ACL injury that she suffered back in April. Her absence will probably be the biggest blow to the Lionesses given her versatility. Williamson was capable enough to star as a centre-back as well as in the midfield. She played a crucial role in England's EURO 2022 triumph.

7. Vivianne Miedema (Netherlands)

Mead's club teammate Miedema will also miss out on the global event. The Dutch international had scored 14 goals and also had eight assists to her name in the 2021-22 Women’s Super League campaign. And, her absence will surely be felt by the Netherlands. The goalscoring machine has over 100 caps and has been an integral part of the Dutch team for a few years now. She ruptured her ACL last year and hasn't recovered in time.

6. Catarina Macario (United States)

Macario who received her US Citizenship back in 2020 is all set to miss the global event. She tore the ACL of her left knee last June but hasn't yet recovered. The 23-year-old announced that she won't be fit in time for the World Cup. She has scored eight goals in her 17 matches for her national team and she will surely be missed in the global event.

5. Marie-Antoinette Katoto (France)

It won't be wrong to say that luck hasn't been on Katoto's side. The 24-year-old was left out of the World Cup squad back in 2019 despite being the top scorer in Division 1 Féminine. She made it to the Euros 2022 but an ACL injury during the group stage ruled her out of that tournament as well as the upcoming World Cup.

4. Janine Beckie (Canada)

The Canada team have suffered a major blow as Beckie who has over 100 national caps won't be a part of the global event. She picked up an ACL injury while playing for the Portland Thorns in March. She was one of the main reasons why they won the 2022 Olympics but this time around the Canadian women's team will have to fight without one of their biggest stars.

3. Fran Kirby (England)

Another England star on the list, the Lionesses surely have a lot to take care of before heading into the tournament as they are without some of their best players. The Chelsea star found the back of the net against Northern Ireland and Sweden at Euro 2022 and played her part in helping England with the championship. The 30-year-old is the Blues' all-time leading goal scorer but she won't be seen at the global event because she will undergo knee surgery for a recurring injury.

2. Delphine Cascarino (France)

The Lyon winger is amongst the best forwards in the world but unfortunately, she won't be a part of the global event after rupturing an ACL ligament. The 26-year-old has won it all at the club level, she has five Champions League and five Division 1 Féminine titles to her name. The French national team will have to push for the world title without their star forward.

1. Lind Dallmann (Germany)

The 28-year-old will not be a part of the 2023 FIFA World Cup as she tore her left anterior syndesmosis ligament. The injury occurred while playing for Bayern Munich Frauen in the German Cup quarterfinal against Hoffenheim. She was the mainstay of her team in the European Championship last time out and her absence from the global event will leave a significant void in the German team.