Manchester City Women striker Vivianne Miedema will miss the start of the Women's Super League season after suffering a knee injury in training. The Dutch international sustained the setback this week, as confirmed by the club in a statement reported by ESPN.
This news comes as the reigning champions, who finished first in the FA WSL last season with 55 points from 22 games, prepare to defend their title. They begin their campaign on Sunday against newly-promoted Birmingham, looking to build on a dominant season where they scored 62 goals and conceded only 19.
What is the nature of Miedema's injury?
Manchester City Women confirmed the injury in a post on X. "We can confirm that Vivianne Miedema has sustained a knee injury and will miss the start of the season," the club stated. The injury is separate from previous knee issues the striker has experienced. The club added, "Everyone at City would like to wish Viv the very best in her recovery."
Miedema's absence is a significant blow to a squad that finished four points clear of Arsenal W last term. Her contribution last season was substantial, making 19 league starts and directly contributing to 15 goals. She found the net 10 times and provided five assists, making her one of the team's most productive players. Fans can track the team's progress and any further squad updates on the official squad page.
How does this impact City's season opener?
The timing is far from ideal with the new WSL season just days away. Manchester City Women face Birmingham in their opening fixture this Sunday. Birmingham earned promotion to the top flight and will present a fresh challenge. City's recent form at the end of last season was strong, finishing with a WWLWW sequence, but they must now adapt their attack without a key figure.
Manager Gareth Taylor will need to reconfigure his forward line. The team's impressive goal difference of +43 last season was built on a potent attack, and Miedema was central to that. Her ability to both score and create chances will be missed as they aim for a fast start. Supporters can view the full schedule on the club's fixtures list.
What is the wider WSL context this week?
Manchester City Women are not the only WSL side dealing with significant news ahead of the kick-off. A major coaching change occurred at Brighton just one week before the season begins. Dario Vidosic departed his position as head coach, with Arturo Ruiz named as his replacement.
This managerial shift at a rival club adds another layer of intrigue to the opening weekend. Brighton will be looking for stability under new leadership, while City must overcome an early injury setback. The league's competitive nature is highlighted by City's narrow four-point margin over Arsenal last season, a gap they will aim to protect despite this early challenge. The latest standings from the concluded 2025 campaign show how tight the title race can be.
Miedema's recovery timeline has not been specified by the club. Her absence for the start of the season means other forwards in the squad will have an immediate opportunity to step up. Manchester City Women begin their title defence this Sunday against Birmingham City at the Academy Stadium.
