Zambia goalkeeper Nali ruled out of World Cup with knee injury

Zambia's starting goalkeeper Hazel Nali will not play in the Women's World Cup due to serious knee ligament injuries, her national team said on Wednesday.

The announcement days before the tournament kicks off in Australia and New Zealand on July 20 adds another name to a long list of injuries that has prompted great concerns in the sport.

"Get well soon, Nali, we are with you," the Zambia team said on Twitter.

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Unfortunately, our first choice goalkeeper Hazel Nali’s FIFA World Cup journey has come to an end due to injury.

Nali has suffered laxity in the Medial Collateral Ligament and a complete tear of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL).

Get well soon, Nali, we are with you. pic.twitter.com/9mGk5Dp3UI

— Zambia WNT (@Copper_Queens) July 12, 2023

Zambia, who are making their World Cup debut and start their campaign against 2011 champions Japan on 22 July, are among many teams to have players ruled out of the tournament due to injury.

European champions England have lost captain Leah Williamson, Euro 2022 Golden Boot winner Beth Mead and Fran Kirby, and the United States will be without their top scorer Mallory Swanson.