AFC Women’s Asian Cup: Full Matildas squad confirmed for 2026 tournament | OneFootball

Joe Montemurro has unveiled his 26-player Australia squad that will be looking to secure AFC Asian Cup glory on home soil.

A Matildas squad that is headlined by the returns of captain Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler following the pair’s ACL injuries is something of a precursor to an imminent changing of the guard.

Kerr, who will be appearing in a fifth Asian Cup, is the last surviving member from the 2010 squad that won the tournament in China. Meanwhile, it will be a fourth continental appearance for vice-captain Steph Catley.

This tournament could well be the last chance of silverware for members of the feted Golden Generation. Mackenzie Arnold, Alanna Kennedy, Emily Van Egmond, Hayley Raso, Katrina Gorry, Michelle Heyman and Caitlin Foord, as well as Kerr and Catley, are all now 31 or older.

In contrast, Winonah Heatley, Clare Hunt, Kahli Johnson, Jamilla Rankin, Charlize Rule, Amy Sayer, Kaitlyn Torpey and Jada Whyman will all be appearing in a first Asian Cup.

AFC Asian Cup qualification path for 2027 World Cup

While the squad is largely as expected, there’s heartbreak for 2023 World Cup breakout star Cortnee Vine and Tottenham defender Charli Grant. Brisbane Roar goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln is a late call up, replacing Teagan Micah who is ruled out with concussion.

It’s not just continental glory on the line when the tournament kicks off in Perth on March 1st. The tournament will also act as the qualification process for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.

The four semi-finalists will qualify directly for next year’s tournament. Meanwhile, the four losing quarter-finalists will go into a single match against each other, with the two winners of those ties booking their place in Brazil.

However, the door for the two losing countries won’t be closed. They will go into the inter-confederation play-offs.

This will be the last time the tournament is used to determine World Cup qualifying. For the 2031 edition, a standalone qualifying process will come into force.

Just in case that wasn’t confusing enough, the eight quarter-finalists will advance to the final stage of qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

All make sense? Great.

Matildas AFC Asian Cup squad in full

Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold, Chloe Lincoln, Jada Whyman.

Defenders: Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley, 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 ©, Holly McNamara, Hayley Raso, Remy Siemsen, Kaitlyn Torpey. 

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