In a surprising turn of events, England and Arsenal defender Leah Williamson has announced that she will not be competing in the upcoming Team World Championship. The 26-year-old, who captained England to victory in the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022, cited a recent hamstring injury as the primary reason for her withdrawal.
Williamson had been included in the England squad for the Euro 2025 qualifiers against Sweden and the Republic of Ireland, marking her first call-up since April 2023. She had made her return to Arsenal in January after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury that had sidelined her for nine months. However, she withdrew from the squad for February’s friendlies against Austria and Italy due to a hamstring issue
Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall described Williamson’s hamstring injury as “really minor,” but it was deemed sufficient to prevent her participation in the national team fixtures . Consequently, Manchester United’s Millie Turner has been called up to replace her in the squad.
This development has raised questions about Williamson’s fitness and her readiness to return to full competitive action. While she has made progress in her recovery, the recurrence of a muscle injury suggests that her return to peak form may require additional time and rehabilitation.
Fans and analysts alike will be closely monitoring Williamson’s recovery and future performances, as her leadership and defensive prowess are considered vital for both Arsenal and the England national team. Her absence from the Team World Championship is a significant setback, but her health and long-term fitness remain the top priorities.
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