England Women World Cup squad recap: Beth Mead misses out after injury battle, Millie Bright and Lucy Bronze with injury battles and Bright named captain, Maya Le Tissier surprisingly misses out

Thanks for joining us and we'll have more on the Women's World Cup in the coming weeks and months.

Even with the number of injuries and key players missing from the squad there is no doubt that Weigman can lead this group to the World Cup.

It will likely mean either Alessia Russo or Rachel Daly being on top goalscoring form, as England look to replace Mead's goals.

There is no doubt that Le Tissier's none selection is by far the biggest surprise but at 21-year's-old there is plenty of time for her to be at a major tournament.

On the other hand time was running out for Nobbs and her selection is definitely my favourite one in the squad and shows what gambling on yourself can do for you after leaving Arsenal in January.

England open their challenge to be named World champions against Haiti before taking on Denmark and then finally China, and they'll be expected to make it through top of the group.

England vs Haiti - 22nd July, 10.30 am (BST)

England vs Denmark - 28th July, 9.30 am (BST)

China vs England - 1st August, 12 pm (BST)

The men's Euros and World Cup over the last couple of years have seen managers be allowed to name 26 player squads, instead of the usual 23.

Despite the fixture congestion of back-to-back summer tournaments, and the Olympics also to be played next year, the women have not been afforded that luxury.

Weigman spoke about wanting a larger squad at her press conference, saying: "We've spoken about that at the draw in October last year. We wanted to bring it to 26.

"I don't think having 26 makes the injury risk lower, I think you then have more options when something happens and you can keep someone in the squad and give more rest. They didn't make the change and we are ahead of that.

"The congested schedule, we all know when we move forward we have to do a better job all together to make it better in all stages and get better scheduling for the players."

It'll be a very young squad who head Down Under for the tournament with only Mary Earps, Lucy Bronze, Laura Coombs, Jordan Nobbs and Rachel Daly over the age of 30.

Of that selection only Earps and Bronze are likely to be nailed on to start, injuries permitting of course.

The manager's use of the squad will be particularly interesting considering how few changes she made match to match in the Euros.

Weigman was particularly good at substitutes but once she finds her strongest starting XI she doesn't tend to move away from the plan.

The main surprise out there right now is the shock omission of Maya Le Tissier, the Manchester United centre back looked a certainty to be in the squad, and possibly even the starting line up.

"No Maya Le Tissier in the England World Cup squad is a massive shock. She's been in for most of the season and has been one of the standout WSL defenders," said journalist Jamie Spencer.

"Very shocked Maya Le Tissier is not in the 23-player England squad. Has had a fantastic season," added Mail sport writer Kathryn Batte.

Le Tissier was in the squad for the Finalissima. Image: Alamy

One fan was also shocked, posting: "Genuinely very, very surprised Maya Le Tissier has missed out."

"No Maya Le Tissier in the England squad for the World Cup…? she’s been better than some names on that squad list," questioned another supporter.

"Le Tissier not making it is crazy i can’t lie," replied a third.

One United fan clearly wasn't happy, tweeting, "Maya Le Tissier robbed and United don’t even get the benefit of her getting an extended rest."

The manager was asked in her press conference about Mead having any chance of going to Australia and New Zealand, with the former Netherland's boss saying: "No, I don’t think so. She’s so positive, but we would’ve taken so many risks to get her to the World Cup. I’m not willing to take that risk."

Maya Le Tissier, Jess Park and Emily Ramsey are all on the standby list, with reports also saying that a fourth player is also on the list.

Le Tissier and Park are set to travel to Australia with the rest of the squad in case of injury.

As with the men's World Cup, teams can make changes to their squad up to 24 hours ahead of their first game, which for England is against Haiti on July 22nd.

Former Arsenal and Chelsea stars Nobbs and England made very good decisions to leave their clubs this season to sign for Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur respectively.

With the pair playing so well for their new sides they have earned recalls to Weigman's side.

Nobbs in particular deserves to have a decent tournament having been beset by injury problems at three previous major international tournaments for the national side.

She played just one game at the 2015 World Cup before picking up an injury, then missed the 2019 edition after being named as vice-captain, when she ruptured her ACL and then also missed last summer's Euros.

Speaking about her squad, the manager said, "I have huge belief in this squad and we’re very fortunate to be selecting a fantastic group of players to travel to Australia. We know we will face tough challenges from strong teams, and we will have to be competitive from the first match on 22 July. We will do everything to be at our very best again this summer.

Weigman has made her selections. Image: Alamy

“It is important the players get some well-deserved time to rest and recover over the next few weeks before we start the final preparations to get them ready. We learned a lot of positive lessons about how to get the players fit, fresh and ready from the EURO last summer and we know what we have to do to make sure we hit the ground running in the right way when the tournament starts.”

One player who will be going to the World Cup is Bayern Munich star Georgia Stanway.

The midfielder was absolutely key to last year's Euros and moved to Germany not long after she'd help the team defeat her new home country in the final.

When she arrived at Bayern from Man City last summer she trolled her new teammates by singing Sweet Caroline as her initiation.

The 24-year-old repeated the trick recently by singing the anthem to the Lionesses victory during Bayern's title celebrations.

Another issue for the manager is who wears the captain's armband with Williamson out injured.

Before the Arsenal star was named the captain it was Manchester City's Steph Houghton who captained the side but she has not featured for Weigman since February 2021, even missing out on the Euros.

She could come into the squad with Williamson missing but is unlikely to be named as captain, so who could it be instead?

Williamson will be missing from the squad. Image: Alamy

With so much experience having gone out the squad recently, with White and Jill Scott retiring, Lucy Bronze is the player with the most caps.

Goalkeeper Mary Earps is guaranteed to start every game and Keira Walsh is another who is integral to the team and could get the nod, as is Bright should she be fit enough.

There is currently an issue as to whether or not the World Cup will be available on television in this country, as well as France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has described the deals offered by broadcasters in those countries as a 'slap in the face.'

A statement from the UK government, co-signed by Lucy Frazer, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, urged the BBC and ITV to make a deal with FIFA.

"Because of the high potential of the FIFA Women's World Cup and the sport and social issues at stake, we consider it our responsibility to fully mobilise all stakeholders, for them to quickly reach an agreement," the statement read.

"These are decisions for FIFA and broadcasters to take independently, but we know that discussions are in progress and we are confident in FIFA and independent broadcasters' capability to find a common path toward fair development of the FIFA Women's World Cup."

The strikers

As well as those who are injured, England of course will not have Ellen White as they did in the Euros, with the Lionesses legend having retired.

Alessia Russo has been promoted from White's regular understudy to the number nine but the Manchester United striker isn't the only option.

Aston Villa's Rachel Daly has normally played at left back for Weigman, as she did in the Euros, but she finished as the top scorer in the Women's Super League and was selected in the last squad as a forward.

Tottenham Hotspur striker Bethany England could make the side after scoring 12 goals in 12 games after joining them part way through the season.