England captain Leah Williamson will miss the World Cup with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, Arsenal has confirmed.
Williamson suffered the injury in a game against Manchester United on Wednesday night and two days later, the Gunners confirmed the worst fears for club and country.
The news is a huge blow for England, which is looking to follow up last summer’s Euro 2022 victory on home soil with the country’s first women’s World Cup win.
The Lionesses are already likely to be without Beth Mead, who was named player of the tournament at Euro 2022. Mead also suffered a torn ACL in November, and last month England manager Sarina Wiegman said she would miss the World Cup unless a “miracle happens.”
England will be now be forced to head to Australia and New Zealand without Williamson, the team’s defensive anchor.
Williamson’s injury is also a major setback for Arsenal, which is facing a Champions League semifinal tie with Wolfsburg as well as a close title race in the Women’s Super League.
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