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Matildas' 2026 Season: Asian Cup Campaign, Squad Evolution, and International Friendlies

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The Matildas finished the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup as runners-up after a narrow 1-0 loss to Japan in front of a record 74,397 fans in Sydney.

A Season of Highs

The team’s campaign included a FIFA Series tournament in Kenya and a two-match friendly series against Mexico. By reaching the Asian Cup semi-finals, the Matildas secured qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil.

AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026

Tournament Overview

The 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup was hosted across multiple Australian cities, including Perth, Sydney, and the Gold Coast. The tournament set new attendance records, with total attendance exceeding 250,000.

Final 26-Player Squad

The squad was led by Head Coach Joe Montemurro, appointed nine months prior to the tournament. Sam Kerr captained the team in her fifth Asian Cup appearance, with Steph Catley and Ellie Carpenter serving as vice-captains.

Position Players Goalkeepers Morgan Aquino, Mackenzie Arnold, Chloe Lincoln Defenders Ellie Carpenter (vc), Steph Catley (vc), Winonah Heatley, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy, Courtney Nevin, Jamilla Rankin, Charlize Rule Midfielders Alex Chidiac, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Katrina Gorry, Amy Sayer, Emily van Egmond, Clare Wheeler Forwards Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Michelle Heyman, Kahli Johnson, Sam Kerr (c), Holly McNamara, Hayley Raso, Remy Siemsen, Kaitlyn Torpey

Notable squad news included:

  • Jada Whyman was ruled out due to a knee injury, replaced by Morgan Aquino.
  • Mary Fowler returned from an ACL injury sustained in April 2025.
  • Michelle Heyman and Holly McNamara were the only A-League Women players selected.

Group Stage

Match 1: Australia 1-0 Philippines

  • Date: March 1, 2026 | Venue: Perth Stadium, Perth
  • Attendance: 44,379
  • Goal: Sam Kerr (15')
  • Australia held 88% possession and recorded 15 shots to the Philippines' 1.

Match 2: Australia 4-0 Iran

  • Date: March 5, 2026 | Venue: Gold Coast Stadium, Gold Coast
  • Goals: Amy Sayer (8'), Mary Fowler (27'), Alanna Kennedy (44', second half)
  • Australia recorded 30 shots to Iran's 1. Two goals were disallowed after VAR reviews.

Match 3: Australia 3-3 South Korea

  • Date: March 8, 2026 | Venue: Stadium Australia, Sydney
  • Attendance: 60,279
  • Goals: Alanna Kennedy (32', stoppage time), Sam Kerr (45+')
  • Australia led 2-1 at halftime. South Korea scored twice in three minutes in the second half. Australia finished second in the group on goal difference.

Knockout Stage

Quarter-Final: Australia 2-1 North Korea

  • Date: March 13, 2026 | Venue: HBF Park, Perth
  • Goals: Alanna Kennedy (9'), Sam Kerr (47')
  • Mackenzie Arnold made 9 saves as North Korea had 62% possession and 21 total shots.
  • The result secured direct qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Semi-Final: Australia 2-1 China

  • Date: March 17, 2026 | Venue: Perth Stadium, Perth
  • Attendance: 35,170
  • Goals: Caitlin Foord (17'), Sam Kerr (58')
  • Emily van Egmond made her 170th appearance, becoming the most-capped Australian footballer.

Final: Australia 0-1 Japan

  • Date: March 21, 2026 | Venue: Stadium Australia, Sydney
  • Attendance: 74,397
  • Goal: Maika Hamano (17')
  • Australia recorded 15 shots to Japan's 9. Alanna Kennedy's header in the 89th minute was saved by Japan's goalkeeper. Kennedy was named tournament MVP.

Australia's tournament record: 4 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss.
Goals scored: 12 | Goals conceded: 6
Alanna Kennedy scored 5 goals during the tournament.

FIFA Series 2026 (Kenya)

Match 1: Australia 5-0 Malawi

  • Leticia McKenna made her international debut and scored in a dominant 5-0 victory.

Match 2: Australia 2-0 Kenya (Final)

  • Alanna Kennedy played her 150th international match and captained the team.

Squad Notes: Several key players were absent, including Mary Fowler, Ellie Carpenter, and Kyra Cooney-Cross.

International Friendlies vs Mexico (June 2026)

Match 1: Australia 0-1 Mexico

  • Ellie Carpenter earned her 100th international cap in a narrow loss, with Mexico scoring in the 92nd minute.

Match 2: Australia 3-1 Mexico

  • Caitlin Foord scored on her 150th international appearance as Australia bounced back to win convincingly.

Coaching Philosophy and Development

"We must establish a clear identity and direction for our football program over the next decade, beginning at youth levels." - Joe Montemurro

Head Coach Joe Montemurro has implemented a proactive, ball-possession-focused style of play emphasizing fluidity, creativity in attack, and aggressive pressing. He stated his vision includes training players in this style while integrating Australian attributes such as resilience, athleticism, and competitive drive.

Montemurro emphasized the need for a long-term strategic plan for Australian women's football, drawing comparisons to Japan's development system.