As Matildas announces 23 players squad, their most experience forward Sam Kerr, will serve as the team’s captain in her fourth appearance at the World Cup tournament and Steph Catley, a defender, will serve as vice-captain in her third outing at the illustrious World Cup tournament.
- The team will be led by forward Sam Kerr as captain in her fourth FIFA Women’s World Cup.
- Football Australia announced the official 23-player Final Squad on July 3, 2023.
- Australia were drawn in Group B with Canada, Nigeria and Republic of Ireland.
Famous Australian footballers Lydia Williams and Clare Polkinghorne hold the distinction of being the only male or female Australian players to compete in five FIFA World Cup finals competitions. Their selection for the squad is evidence of their extraordinary talent, commitment, and legacy.
Younger players have received priority playing time under manager Gustavsson. Both Kyra Cooney-Cross, 21, and Mary Fowler, 20, are expected to play significant roles in Australia’s midfield and have benefitted from Gustvasson’s confidence in them.
We’re not crying, you are 🥹
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) July 3, 2023
📹 Watch the moment our players found out they made the final squad for the #FIFAWWC #TilitsDone pic.twitter.com/Pp4umMCOyn
“Today is the end of a two-and-a-half-year process and the wonderful start of a thrilling new journey for the team,” head coach Gustavsson said. “Selecting this World Cup squad has been the toughest challenge so far, but the whole coaching and support staff are all completely overjoyed for the 23 players who will represent the nation during this tournament.”
Australia Women’s World Cup 2023 Squad
Position | Player | Date of Birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
Goalkeeper | Lydia Williams | 13 May 1988 (age 35) | 102 | 0 | Brighton & Hove Albion |
Goalkeeper | Teagan Micah | 20 October 1997 (age 25) | 14 | 0 | FC Rosengård |
Goalkeeper | Mackenzie Arnold | 25 February 1994 (age 29) | 34 | 0 | West Ham United |
Defender | Courtney Nevin | 12 February 2002 (age 21) | 22 | 0 | Leicester City |
Defender | Aivi Luik | 18 March 1985 (age 38) | 42 | 1 | BK Häcken |
Defender | Clare Polkinghorne | 01 February 1989 (age 34) | 156 | 16 | Vittsjö GIK |
Defender | Steph Catley (VC) | 26 January 1994 (age 29) | 109 | 3 | Arsenal |
Defender | Alanna Kennedy | 21 January 1995 (age 28) | 108 | 8 | Manchester City |
Defender | Clare Hunt | 12 March 1999 (aged 24) | 5 | 0 | Western Sydney Wanderers |
Defender | Ellie Carpenter | 28 April 2000 (age 23) | 61 | 3 | Lyon |
Defender | Charlotte Grant | 20 Sept 2001 (age 21) | 18 | 1 | Vittsjö GIK |
Midfielder | Kyra Cooney-Cross | 15 February 2002 (age 21) | 27 | 0 | Hammarby IF |
Midfielder | Clare Wheeler | 14 January 1998 (age 25) | 14 | 0 | Everton |
Midfielder | Alex Chidiac | 15 January 1999 (age 24) | 27 | 2 | Racing Louisville |
Midfielder | Emily van Egmond | 12 July 1993 (age 30) | 127 | 30 | San Diego Wave |
Midfielder | Tameka Yallop | 16 June 1991 (age 32) | 112 | 12 | Brann |
Midfielder | Katrina Gorry | 13 August 1992 (age 30) | 93 | 17 | Brisbane Roar |
Forward | Cortnee Vine | 9 April 1998 (age 25) | 16 | 3 | Sydney FC |
Forward | Caitlin Foord | 11 Nov 1994 (age 28) | 108 | 29 | Arsenal |
Forward | Mary Fowler | 14 February 2003 (age 20) | 36 | 9 | Manchester City |
Forward | Hayley Raso | 5 September 1994 (age 28) | 70 | 12 | Manchester City |
Forward | Kyah Simon | 25 June 1991 (age 32) | 111 | 29 | Tottenham Hotspur |
Forward | Sam Kerr (captain) | 10 Sept 1993 (age 29) | 120 | 63 | Chelsea |
“These 23 players not only exemplify what it means to be a part of the tradition of the CommBank Matildas, but also what it means to represent the 25 million Australians we know are fully behind us. They have the heart, desire and the passion for the crest, and I can’t wait to see the next part of their story.” said Gustavsson at the press conference.
“This is a special group of players who, when you see the anticipation around the tournament and level of interest for women’s football, have already sparked a transformation. We can’t wait to get the tournament underway in front of a record crowd of support.”
Australia is in great spirits after defeating the Lionesses 2-0 in April to become the first team to defeat England under Sarina Wiegman.
After losing 1-0 to Scotland earlier in the break, Australia gained confidence with the victory with to goals from Sam Kerr and Charley Grant.
Australia vs France : FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 preparations with a final “Send Off” Match
Australia will wrap up its FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 preparations with a final “Send Off” Match against fellow competitors France on Friday, July 14, 2023 in front of a packed Marvel Stadium in Melbourne. Full live coverage of the game will be available on Paramount+,10 Bold and 10 Play.
Starting Line-up XI :
STARTING XI 🗒
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) July 14, 2023
Here’s how we line up against France in front of a sold-out crowd at Marvel Stadium! 💪
⏰: 7:30 pm AEST
📺💻📱: 10 Bold @10footballau#Matildas #AUSvFRA pic.twitter.com/eqdh4pTItQ
Who is Australia’s Manager?
When it comes to women’s football, Gustavsson has a very good résumé. He joined Tyresö in 2012 after managing in the men’s game, guiding them to their first Damallsvenskan championship and a Champions League final but when they went bankrupt, Gustvasson moved to United States.
Gustvasson joined the United States Women’s National Team as an assistant coach, helping them to win the 2015 and 2019 World Cups.
In 2020, he resigned to take over as manager of Australia’s first team. While Gustavsson’s record hasn’t always been stellar—the 2022 Asian Cup exit was a particular letdown—making the Tokyo Olympics semifinals was considered a major accomplishment.
Australia’s Group B Fixtures
20 July
Australia-Republic of Ireland (20:00 local time, 06:00 ET, Accor Stadium, Sydney)
27 July
Australia-Nigeria (20:00 local time, 06:00 ET, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)
31 July
Australia-Canada (20:00 local time, 06:00 ET, AAMI Park, Melbourne)
Where is the next Women’s World Cup 2023?
This is the first time in the entire history of FIFA Women’s World Cup that there are more than one host nation. The tournament will be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand and it will take place from 20 July to 20 August 2023.
Did Australia qualify for the World Cup 2023?
As host countries automatically qualify for the World Cup tournament. So, Australia and New Zealand, as co-hosts, qualified automatically for the World Cup 2023 tournament.
How many countries are in the Women’s World Cup 2023?
This tournament will be the first to feature the expanded format of 32 teams from the previous 24, competing across 64 games,