Time magazine has sparked outrage after excluding footballer Alex Morgan from a cover photo of the US World Cup winning team.

The team won the 'Athlete of the Year Award' after their triumphant campaign in the summer where they became back-to-back champions.

Morgan scored six goals, the same as captain and much-acclaimed women's rights campaigner Megan Rapinoe, but was notably missing from the magazine's cover celebrating the team's award.

Morgan was was even quoted in the magazine's article.

Fans were quick to target the US football Twitter account, angry that the star hadn't been included. Supporter Mark Glenshaw wrote: "Couldn't they at least photoshopped @alexmorgan13 into the photo? She had a major role in their dominant win in the World Cup and in the build up to it. Major Fail"

Another fan, Zach, tweeted: "Thanks for saving me a few bucks @TIME, not buying this without @alexmorgan13 and @tierna davidson on the cover"

Priscilla Sanchez, another supporter, took aim at the rest of the team when she wrote: "Guys... @alexmorgan13 is your MVP how could you arrange THIS photoshoot without her"

However, the US football Twitter account explained Morgan's absence to the angry fans, posting: “She wasn’t available for the shoot. But always there in spirit!"

Meanwhile, the star's appearance at the Olympics is in doubt after she recently announced she is pregnant. The baby is due in April and Morgan is aiming to be back for the tournament in Tokyo.

She said: "It's my goal to play there. It's clearly a short window but if I'm able to, I want to be there representing my country."