England’s Leah Williamson out of World Cup with cruciate ligament injury

England’s captain Leah Williamson will miss the World Cup after Arsenal announced that she had sustained a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

Williamson was injured at Manchester United on Wednesday. Her absence is a substantial blow to England after the central defender, who can also be used in midfield, played a major part in their Euro 2022 triumph last summer.

The 26-year-old’s clubmate Beth Mead, the leading scorer at the Euros, is also poised to miss the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand because of an ACL injury. England’s manager, Sarina Wiegman, said last month that the striker would need “a miracle” to be ready.

More details soon …