Beth Mead has not been included in England's Women's World Cup squad due to injury.

England's Lionesses head coach, Sarina Wiegman has named her 23-player England squad for the 2023 Women’s World Cup. 

Arsenal forward and Euro 2022 top scorer Beth Mead has not been included in the squad after failing to get fit in time.

Mead injured her knee in November of last year and always faced a fight to be fit for this summer’s tournament in Australia and New Zealand after undergoing surgery.

Back in March, Wiegman all but confirmed that the Arsenal star, who was named Player of the Tournament at the Euros, would miss out, but the 28-year-old recently revealed her recovery was ahead of schedule giving fans hope that she could make the cut.

But unfortunately, Mead has not even been named on the three-player standby list, with Fran Kirby and captain Leah Williamson also missing out because of injury. 

There was also no place for former Lionesses captain Steph Houghton. The 35-year-old has not played for England since 2021, but was tipped for a possible recall due to current skipper Leah Williamson being out with a knee injury.

Chelsea defender Millie Bright is expected to captain the team in Williamson’s absence after she was named in the squad despite being out since March with a knee injury.

Jordan Nobbs is included as well, despite sustaining an injury in Aston Villa’s penultimate game of the season, Katie Zelem has been brought back after not making the last squad in April and there is no recall for Williamson’s predecessor as captain Steph Houghton.

Jess Park, Maya Le Tissier, and Emily Ramsey have been named on standby. 

England squad for the 2023 Women's World Cup

Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Manchester United), Hannah Hampton (Aston Villa), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City)

Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Esme Morgan (Manchester City), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)

Midfielders: Laura Coombs (Manchester City), Jordan Nobbs (Aston Villa), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Barcelona), Katie Zelem (Manchester United)

Forwards: Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Bethany England (Tottenham Hotspur), Lauren Hemp, (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Katie Robinson (Brighton & Hove Albion), Alessia Russo (Manchester United)