NEW YORK (AP) – Christine Sinclair will lead the Canadian women’s national team at the upcoming Women’s World Cup.
Sinclair, international football’s all-time leading scorer among men and women with 190 career goals, is playing in her sixth World Cup. The 40-year-old is captain of the 23-player squad announced by Coach Bev Priestman on Sunday.
Sinclair will be joined by fellow veterans Sophie Schmidt, playing in her fifth World Cup, and Allysha Chapman, Kadeisha Buchanan, Adriana Leon, Jessie Fleming and Ashley Lawrence, who will all be making a third appearance in the tournament.
“I know every single person has given their all to make this squad. It’s a great mix of veterans, experienced and new players who can all bring something different this summer,” Priestman said in a statement. “I’m naturally devastated for the players who have missed out, especially due to injuries, but I know every player will be with us on our journey and have been pivotal in getting us to this point.”
Among those missing out was Janine Beckie, who tore her ACL in a preseason game the Portland Thorns in the National Women’s Football League. Midfielder Desiree Scott, a veteran of three World Cups, injured her knee late last year and did not make the roster.
The World Cup, hosted by Australia and New Zealand, kicks off on July 20 with an expanded field of 32 teams. Canada, which won the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, opens the tournament with Nigeria on July 21 (July 20 in North America) in Melbourne, Australia.
