In a heart-wrenching turn of events, the upcoming 2023 Women’s World Cup will witness the absence of several renowned figures in the realm of women’s soccer. A series of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures has plagued the competition, with England, the reigning European champions, bearing the brunt of this unfortunate misfortune.
The ACL, a vital knee ligament situated at the center, serves the purpose of averting the forward movement of the shin bone, known as the tibia, relative to the thigh bone, the femur. These injuries almost invariably necessitate surgery and require a recovery period of over a year.
1. Beth Mead, England: A Stinging Blow to the Lionesses
Beth Mead, an Arsenal forward hailed as one of the world’s premier female players, suffered a significant setback when she was sidelined due to injury. Her exclusion from the England squad due to an ACL injury stands as a devastating loss for the Lionesses. Mead, 28, exhibited an imperious form during the previous year’s European Championship, emerging as the tournament’s top scorer with six goals and contributing four assists. Her performances played a pivotal role in England’s triumphant campaign. Regrettably, she sustained an ACL injury in late 2022, ruling her out of the competition.
Beth Mead is magic pic.twitter.com/0uowvpu7A8
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) July 12, 2022
Read: Unveiling the Flaws of the ‘Love Is Love’ Slogan: A Deeper Analysis of LGBTQ+ Rights
2. Leah Williamson, England: An Unfortunate Twist of Fate
Fate has been unkind to England once again, as their captain and versatile player, Leah Williamson, finds herself forced to sit out the tournament after suffering an ACL injury in April. The 26-year-old Arsenal star’s unwavering presence in Sarina Wiegman’s defensive lineup proved instrumental in England’s success at Euro 2022. Her absence will undoubtedly be a significant loss for the Lionesses.
3. Vivianne Miedema, the Netherlands: An Integral Talent Absent
Vivianne Miedema, an Arsenal forward, concluded the 2021-22 Women’s Super League with an impressive tally of 14 goals and eight assists, narrowly trailing Australia’s Sam Kerr. Miedema, a dynamic and technically gifted goalscorer, has played an indispensable role in recent Netherlands squads, amassing over 100 international caps. The 26-year-old began the Euro 2022 campaign as the team’s captain but contracted COVID-19 following the initial group match. To compound her misfortune, she suffered an ACL rupture last year, further precluding her from participating in the World Cup.
4. Catarina Macario, United States: An Unfulfilled Promise
Catarina Macario, a 23-year-old forward, endured a devastating blow when she tore her ACL in her left knee during Lyon’s final match of the 2021-22 season. Since 2021, Macario has been prolific, scoring 19 goals in 27 appearances for Lyon. Despite undergoing rehabilitation at a prestigious orthopedic and sports medicine facility in Qatar, she has been unable to recover in time for the tournament. Born in Brazil, Macario obtained US citizenship in 2020 and has since scored eight goals in 17 matches for her adopted country.
Read: Global Bond Market Rally Dims Gilts’ Prospects: Sovereign Debt Takes a Hit
5. Marie-Antoinette Katoto, France: A History of Misfortune
The 24-year-old striker from Paris Saint-Germain, Marie-Antoinette Katoto, has experienced a series of unfortunate events on the international stage. In 2019, despite being the top scorer in Division 1 Féminine, she was left out of the World Cup squad. Last year, she became her club’s all-time leading goalscorer. Unfortunately, during the group stage of the Euro 2022, she sustained an ACL injury that ruled her out for the remainder of the season with PSG as well as this year’s World Cup.
6. Janine Beckie, Canada: A Setback for a Medalist
Janine Beckie, a 28-year-old forward with over 100 international appearances for Canada, will miss the World Cup due to an ACL injury sustained while playing for the Portland Thorns in March. Notably, she had previously achieved a gold medal with Canada at the 2020 Olympics, further underscoring her significance to the team.
Read: Global Bond Market Rally Dims Gilts’ Prospects: Sovereign Debt Takes a Hit
7. Fran Kirby, England: A Pivotal Presence Absent
Fran Kirby’s contributions to both Chelsea and England over recent years have been nothing short of crucial. Her goals against Northern Ireland and Sweden during Euro 2022 were instrumental in securing England’s success. Kirby’s accomplishments include being shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or in 2021 and becoming Chelsea’s all-time top goal scorer at the age of 30. Unfortunately, she will be unable to participate in the World Cup as she undergoes knee surgery for a recurring injury.
8. Delphine Cascarino, France: A Setback for a Highly Decorated Player
Delphine Cascarino, a 26-year-old winger from Lyon, boasts an illustrious resume with five Champions League titles and five Division 1 Féminine titles. However, a ruptured ACL ligament will prevent her from representing France in the World Cup.
As the 2023 Women’s World Cup approaches, the absence of these influential figures casts a somber shadow over the tournament. While their respective nations will undoubtedly feel the impact, fans across the globe lament the loss of these exceptional talents. The tournament’s outcome now rests in the hands of the remaining players who will strive to fill the void left by these unanticipated injuries.
