ACL injuries are keeping some of the biggest stars out of the World Cup

ACL: England's Leah Williamson is one of many stars ruled out of the World Cup with an ACL injury. File pic: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire.

Some of the biggest names in the game won’t be playing in the Women’s World Cup because of what feels like an epidemic of ACL injuries — and players are asking why.

Netherlands forward Vivianne Miedema, England’s Leah Williamson and Beth Mead, Canada’s Janine Beckie and rising US star Catarina Macario are among those sidelined for the tournament starting July 20 in Australia and New Zealand.