Matildas coach Joe Montemurro has opted for consistency in building towards the 2027 Women’s World Cup, as he named a 22-player squad for a pair of international friendlies in Kenya later this month.
Sam Kerr will lead the squad as captain with stalwarts Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley, Hayley Raso, Alanna Kennedy and Mackenzie Arnold also selected in the team for Australia’s first women’s Fifa Series campaign.
Striker Mary Fowler, right-back Ellie Carpenter and first-choice midfielder Katrina Gorry are the most notable omissions among the seven players from the Asian Cup squad sitting out the friendlies, while Kyra Cooney-Cross is unavailable due to personal reasons.
Melbourne City midfielder Leticia McKenna makes her squad debut, with defender Jessika Nash and Central Coast Mariners midfielder Isabel Gomez returning to the national setup after being left out for the continental showpiece on home soil.
Montemurro has called on a near full-strength squad as the Matildas turn attention to the Women’s World Cup in Brazil next year. The team will be chasing their first piece of major silverware since the 2010 Asian Cup after losing 1-0 to Japan in the final of this year’s tournament.
“This window gives us a valuable opportunity to reflect on the Women’s Asian Cup and continue building consistency that will underpin the team over the next 16 months,” Montemurro said.
“We have maintained a core playing group while also providing chances for players who have earned their opportunity through club performances.
“The Fifa Series in Kenya will offer unique challenges and a test against diverse opposition. As we build toward the Women’s World Cup, it’s essential we expose ourselves to the styles and environments we’ll encounter on the global stage.”
The choice of fixtures were criticised given that after the Asian Cup Montemurro had expressed the desire to play top-ranked teams to prepare for the 2027 World Cup.
The Matildas will play world No 153 Malawi in their first match in Nairobi on 11 April (12 April AEST), followed by a second against either India (No 67) or hosts Kenya (No 134) on 15 April.
More to follow …
Matildas squad: Morgan Aquino, Mackenzie Arnold, Steph Catley, Alex Chidiac, Caitlin Foord, Isabel Gomez, Winonah Heatley, Alanna Kennedy, Sam Kerr, Chloe Lincoln, Leticia McKenna, Holly McNamara, Jessika Nash, Courtney Nevin, Jamilla Rankin, Hayley Raso, Charlize Rule, Amy Sayer, Remy Siemsen, Kaitlyn Torpey, Emily van Egmond, Clare Wheeler
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