Australia's Matildas squad selection for FIFA Series friendlies in Kenya ahead of 2027 World Cup
Consensus Summary
Australia’s Matildas have selected a 22-player squad for FIFA Series friendlies in Kenya on April 11 and 15, 2024, marking their first international matches since losing the 2024 Women’s Asian Cup final to Japan. The squad includes stars like Sam Kerr (captain), Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley, Hayley Raso, and Mackenzie Arnold, while notable omissions include Mary Fowler, Ellie Carpenter, Katrina Gorry, and Kyra Cooney-Cross. The team will face Malawi (ranked 153) on April 11 and either Kenya (ranked 134) or India (ranked 67) on April 15, preparing for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Coach Joe Montemurro emphasized building consistency and exposure to diverse opposition, with debuts for Leticia McKenna and returns for Jessika Nash and Isabel Gomez. ABC added that Clare Hunt will miss the friendlies due to knee surgery, while Fowler recovered from an ACL tear to play in the Asian Cup. Both sources agree on the squad composition and key details, though the Guardian highlighted criticism over the choice of lower-ranked opponents.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The Matildas named a 22-player squad for FIFA Series friendlies in Kenya on April 11 and 15, 2024.
- Sam Kerr is captain of the Matildas squad for the Kenya friendlies.
- Mary Fowler, Ellie Carpenter, Katrina Gorry, and Kyra Cooney-Cross are notable omissions from the squad.
- The Matildas will face Malawi (FIFA rank 153) on April 11 in Nairobi, followed by either Kenya (rank 134) or India (rank 67) on April 15.
- The squad includes Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley, Hayley Raso, Alanna Kennedy, Mackenzie Arnold, and Clare Wheeler.
- The Matildas lost the 2024 Women’s Asian Cup final 1-0 to Japan on March 21, 2024.
- The squad will prepare for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, with coach Joe Montemurro emphasizing consistency and exposure to diverse opposition.
- Leticia McKenna (Melbourne City) makes her Matildas squad debut, while Jessika Nash and Isabel Gomez return after being left out of the Asian Cup squad.
- The Matildas will play their first matches since the Asian Cup final in Kenya.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The Matildas are preparing for the Women’s Fifa Series campaign, marking their first international campaign since the Asian Cup.
- Montemurro called the squad a near full-strength team as they focus on the 2027 World Cup.
- The choice of fixtures was criticized for not including top-ranked teams, as Montemurro previously expressed a desire to play against higher-ranked opponents.
- Defender Clare Hunt will miss the Kenya friendlies due to surgery on her right knee following an Asian Cup injury.
- Mary Fowler made it through the Asian Cup unscathed after recovering from an ACL tear.
- Steph Catley is named as Kerr’s deputy captain for the Kenya friendlies.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian mentions the squad is a near full-strength team, while ABC does not explicitly state this but focuses on absences like Clare Hunt and Fowler.
- No contradictions in specific factual claims between sources; all key details align.
Source Articles
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