All eyes are fixed on Australia and New Zealand as we gear up for the biggest Women's World Cup yet – but there are, sadly, some notable absentees
Australia and New Zealand will host the 2023 Women's World Cup this summer and the tournament is set to feature some of the biggest names in the sport. However, it is impossible to ignore the sheer number of stars that won't be joining in the fun.
Women's football is in the midst of an ACL injury crisis, with players dropping like flies across the 2022-23 club season. And that, sadly, is not the only reason that some huge players will not be able to compete this summer.
Another unfortunate aspect of the modern women's game is off-field turmoil. At one point it seemed like both Spain and Canada would be bringing threadbare squads Down Under and while the majority of players have returned, some still feel unable to play under the banner of their country's football federation.
There are also those whose World Cup absence is harder to explain. Coaches get paid the big bucks to make tough selection decisions, and more than a few choices have been met with feverish opposition across the globe.
Below, GOAL takes a look at just how many top players won't be gracing the World Cup stage…
Getty ImagesMarie-Antoinette Katoto (France)
Katoto has endured a pretty miserable year after tearing her ACL during Euro 2022. The free-scoring Paris Saint-Germain star has not played for club or country since, only returning to the headlines when she, along with France team-mates Wendie Renard and Kadidiatou Diani, withdrew themselves from international selection due to "the current system [being] far from the requirements of the highest level".
While Renard and Diani have returned to the fray following the sacking of Corinne Diacre, Katoto will miss the World Cup as she still has not shaken off her injury.
AdvertisementGettyDelphine Cascarino (France)
Cascarino would have been a key member of France's squad this summer. Few players on the planet can humiliate defenders like the Lyon star, but her exceptional dribbling won't be on display this summer. Like her team-mate Katoto, the 26-year-old tore her ACL in May, leaving her unavailable for some time.
Chelsea FCCatarina Macario (United States)
Chelsea fans hoping to catch a glimpse of their new signing in Australia and New Zealand this summer will be left disappointed. Macario is one of many absences the USWNT are dealing with at the tournament, with the attacker revealing that she would not quite be ready in time back in May. It's been a lengthy absence, with the Brazilian-born attacker suffering the injury over a year ago.
GettyChristen Press (United States)
Two-time World Cup winner Press won't be adding to her trophy collection this summer. Back in June 2022, she sustained an ACL injury during Angel City's 3-2 victory over Racing Louisville. Like Macario, she worked hard to return in time, but it was in vain. Her absence was confirmed when Vlatko Andonovski named his squad.