Between injury and protest, the 2023 Women’s World Cup will be missing some star power. A handful of the sport’s biggest names across federations have announced they will not be making the trip to Australia and New Zealand, many due to ill-timed injuries. While key absences are hard to stomach for any team, they also provide the opportunity for veterans and rookies alike to step up, with some serious shoes to fill.
Here are 10 players who can make an impact at the World Cup.
Alessia Russo, England
The Lionesses are in need of a creative offensive presence, with Arsenal superstar Beth Mead sidelined due to an ACL injury sustained with her club during a November fixture. Mead helped England to the team’s maiden Euro 2022 title, notching a staggering six goals and four assists throughout the tournament. Without the 28-year-old, the focus turns to the Lionesses’ stockpile of firepower, headlined by Russo, who at 24 years old is billed as the future—and present—of English football. Russo has already shown what she is capable of in big moments, striking the shot of the ’22 Euro, putting a stunning back-heel goal past Sweden in the semifinal. The Lionesses will hope to see more of Russo’s finishing finesse in Australia and New Zealand as England looks to claim its first World Cup trophy.
Millie Bright, England
In another significant blow to Sarina Wiegman’s group, captain Leah Williamson will not make the trip to the World Cup with her England squad. The Arsenal defender injured her ACL during her club’s April match against Manchester United, ruling her out of contention for this summer’s tournament. A steady presence on the backline and leader off the pitch, Williamson will not be easily replaced, meaning veterans will have to step up. One of those said veterans is Bright, who has been a pillar of England’s defense since her debut in 2016 and was a key player in the group’s ’22 Euro title run. The Chelsea defender will wear the captain’s armband in her second World Cup, leading one of the most talented groups England has ever fielded.
Alana Cook, United States
It's now well documented that USWNT captain and stalwart Becky Sauerbrunn will miss what would have been her fourth World Cup. An enduring foot injury will keep the 38-year-old stateside this summer—a heartbreaking loss for the U.S. Sauerbrunn’s impact on and off the field is hard to fully capture, with the defender the heart and soul of this group. Without her, the U.S. will rely on the centerback pairing of 26-year-old Cook and 23-year-old Naomi Girma—neither has played in a World Cup. Girma has been the focus of a lot of hype after winning the 2022 NWSL Rookie and Defender of the Year awards and starting in five games for the USWNT this year. Cook has had an impressive early career herself, first with PSG and then OL Reign, and now she has the chance to prove herself on the world stage.
Lieke Martens, Netherlands
There is no replacing a striker like Vivianne Miedema, with the Arsenal forward being one of the most prolific goalscorers of her generation. The Dutch, however, will have to try to do just that this World Cup as Miedema recovers from an ACL injury sustained in December. Luckily for the Netherlands, it has a reliable mainstay in Martens on its roster. The 30-year-old has the unique ability to cut centrally and pose a threat in the final third, while also dropping into the midfield, opening up space in the team’s attack. New coach Andries Jonker will look to Martens to connect with players like Sherida Spitse and Jill Roord to fill the offensive gap left by Miedema.
Kadidiatou Diani, France
France, like many other teams, will be without its major goal-scoring threat in the World Cup, as Marie-Antoinette Katoto continues to rehab an ACL injury she sustained at the 2022 Euro. With 148 goals, she is PSG’s all-time top goalscorer at just 24 years old, possessing a keen ability to exploit space and get in behind backlines. Without her, Les Bleus will likely rely on Diani. The 28-year-old scored 17 goals through 17 games with PSG this season, earning her Division 1 Féminine Player of the Year honors. Diani has proved herself lethal in front of the goal and can facilitate those around her, dropping down deeper into the pitch and reading the buildup to create chances.
Eugénie Le Sommer, France
Les Bleus were delivered more bad news when it was announced that veteran forward Amandine Henry was out with a calf injury just weeks before the start of the World Cup. Like Katoto, Henry was a vital part of France’s attack and also provided an experienced presence, with 93 caps to her name. The team will look to other experienced players like Le Sommer, France’s leading goalscorer (88 goals), who is back with Les Bleus after a two-year absence due to a dispute with former coach Diacre Corinne. The 34-year-old, a known quantity, will inject a seasoned quality to the attack, and, along with captain Wendie Renard, will be tasked with leading this French side.
Nichelle Prince, Canada
Canada manager Bev Priestman called Janine Beckie “impossible to replace” following the 28-year-old’s season-ending ACL injury, which she incurred during a preseason game with her NWSL club, the Portland Thorns. Canada, hoping to follow up its Olympic gold medal, will have to forge ahead on its World Cup quest without Beckie on the frontline. The star forward is particularly dangerous on the flanks, causing problems for opposing fullbacks while serving punishing crosses into the box. The Houston Dash’s Prince, is similarly threatening on the wing. Prince is coming off of a long rehab process for an Achilles injury, but if the 28-year-old is fully healthy come tournament time, she has the chance to be a game-changer for Canada.
Alexia Putellas, Spain
As the reigning Ballon d’Or winner, it's not as though Putellas will be filling any shoes, per se, but she will be under added pressure as Spain’s leader amid a turbulent time for the squad. In September 2022, 15 members of Spain’s national team, publicly backed by Putellas, called on their federation to make internal changes, including to coach Jorge Vilda. Several of those players are back in the fold for the World Cup, (and Putellas, back from injury), but other key pieces remain steadfast in their absence from the team, including defender Mapi León. “As of today, I will not be in the World Cup. It's a shame,” León told RAC1. “It's not a decision to be taken lightly, but my decision is clear. Mapi León has a way of life and values can't go back if the situation doesn’t change.” Without stars like León, and with unresolved turmoil with the RFEF, Putellas will be charged with leading this Spanish side—a tall order even for a player of her magnitude.
Lina Magull, Germany
Germany has not been immune from the injury issues plaguing women’s soccer, with both Bayern Munich’s Giulia Gwinn and Linda Dallmann out for the World Cup. Gwinn provided a burst of youthful energy to Germany’s backline, with Dallmann a trustworthy fixture in the squad’s midfield. Experienced players like Magull, who received her first call-up to the senior national team in 2015, will need to step forward to plug the holes left by the likes of Dallmann, who played in all of Germany’s matches during the ’22 Euro. Magull is certainly up for the challenge, as a versatile midfielder who dazzles on the ball in tight spaces and acts as the creative engine for Germany. Capable of a set-piece stunner, Magull could make a name (more than she already has) for herself at this World Cup.
Alyssa Thompson, United States
The USWNT’s frontline was dealt a punch in the gut when Mallory Swanson went down with a patellar tendon tear during a friendly against Ireland in April. Swanson, who was in the best form of her career leading up to the World Cup, joins Catarina Macario, who is rehabbing an ACL tear, on the squad’s mounting injury list. Needing to add zeal to the forward pool, coach Vlatko Andonovski tapped Thompson, who at just 18 years old is going to her first World Cup. The striker has shown clinical finishing ability and great field vision in her rookie start with Angel City FC. Now, Thompson will don the U.S. crest alongside veterans like Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe in the biggest moment of her young career.
