England World Cup squad in full: Beth Mead misses out but Mille Bright and Beth England included

Arsenal forward Beth Mead has been left out of England’s World Cup 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.

England boss Sarina Wiegman said in March that Mead needed a “miracle” to be fit for the World Cup and she has been left out of the final squad.

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.

Right-back Lucy Bronze has also been struggling with a knee problem, but she has also made the final cut after getting fit and is even expected to play for Barcelona in the Champions League final this weekend.

Tottenham striker Bethany England has earned a first call-up since September after a brilliant end to the domestic season.

England has scored 12 goals in her last 12 Women’s Super League games to help Spurs beat the drop and Wiegman has rewarded her for her fine form.

The 28-year-old is one of seven forwards in the squad, with Brighton youngster Katie Robinson included. Unsurprisingly Alessia Russo, Chloe Kelly, Lauren James, Lauren Hemp and Rach Daly are on the plane. Manchester United forward Nikita Parris has been left out, despite impressing this season.

By taking seven forwards, Wiegman has opted to take one less defender. She has picked seven in total, with Daly able to cover at left-back. Alex Greenwood, Jess Carter, Esme Morgan, Lotte Wubben-Moy and Niamh Charles are in - but Manchester United defender Maya Le Tissier is only on the standby list.

Midfielder Jess Park is also on the standby list and, like Le Tissier, will travel to Australia for a pre-tournament camp in July.

Park was close to getting a midfield spot, but Wiegman has gone for experienced Manchester United captain Katie Zelem instead. As well as Zelem, Jordan Nobbs and Laura Coombs will also provide back up for starting trio Ella Toone, Georgia Stanway and Kiera Walsh.

The goalkeepers are, as expected, Mary Earps, Ellie Roebuck and Hannah Hampton. Emily Ramsey is the standby goalkeeper, but will not travel to Australia.

Goalkeepers: Earps, Hampton, Roebuck

Defenders: Bright, Bronze, Carter, Charles, Greenwood, Morgan, Wubben-Moy

Midfielders: Coombs, Nobbs, Stanway, Toone, Walsh, Zelem

Forwards: Daly, England, Hemp, James, Kelly, Robinson, Russo