England and Tottenham Hotspur forward Jess Naz has suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, ruling her out for the remainder of the 2025-26 Women’s Super League (WSL) season. The 25-year-old sustained the injury during Spurs’ late victory over Aston Villa on Sunday and will require surgery on her right knee.

Naz Faces Second Career ACL Setback

This marks the second ACL injury in Naz’s career. She previously missed the 2019-20 WSL season due to an ACL issue in her other knee, making this a particularly challenging setback for the England international. Despite her injury, Naz had been an ever-present figure for Tottenham this season, starting every WSL match and earning six senior England caps. She was part of the squad for October’s international fixtures, including the friendly defeat to Brazil and the win over Australia.

Growing Concern Over ACL Injuries in Women’s Football

Naz becomes the eighth WSL player to suffer an ACL injury since the start of the season, joining a concerning list of players including:

• Michelle Agyemang (Brighton, on loan from Arsenal)
• Maite Oroz (Tottenham)
• Marie Höbinger (Liverpool)
• Manu Zinsberger (Arsenal)
• Sophie Roman Haug (Liverpool)
• Jill Baijings (Aston Villa)
• Katie Reid (Arsenal)
• Jess Naz (Tottenham)

The frequency of ACL injuries this season has reignited discussions about player welfare and the impact of congested fixture schedules on women’s football. Last month, England and Chelsea midfielder Keira Walsh emphasized that governing bodies must “listen to the players” regarding scheduling, highlighting the correlation between overuse, fixture congestion, and injuries.

Impact on Tottenham Hotspur and England

Naz’s absence is a significant blow for Tottenham, who rely on her attacking prowess and experience in the forward line. The Spurs squad will need to adapt without one of their key forwards for the remainder of the season, while also managing the psychological impact of losing a senior player to a long-term injury.

For England, Naz’s injury reduces attacking options ahead of future international fixtures. With six caps and a growing role in the national team setup, her absence will be felt in both friendly and competitive matches.

The Rising Concern in Women’s Football

The spate of ACL injuries in the WSL underscores the ongoing physical demands of professional women’s football. Clubs, medical teams, and governing bodies are increasingly under pressure to address player health, optimize recovery protocols, and manage fixture congestion to protect athletes from career-threatening injuries.

Tottenham will now focus on Naz’s rehabilitation, aiming for a full recovery ahead of the next season, while players across the league continue to speak out on the risks associated with intense schedules and insufficient recovery time.

Key Takeaways

• Jess Naz out for season due to ACL injury, second of her career.
• Eight WSL players have suffered ACL injuries this season, raising player welfare concerns.
• Fixture congestion and overuse are under scrutiny following repeated injuries.
• Tottenham and England will need to adjust their strategies in Naz’s absence.

This latest setback for Naz highlights the ongoing challenges in women’s football regarding player safety, workload, and injury prevention, bringing renewed focus on the need for sustainable fixture planning in the WSL.