Australian Matildas squad selection for FIFA Series in Kenya
Consensus Summary
The Australian Matildas have been selected for the FIFA Series in Kenya, with Sam Kerr named captain for the upcoming friendlies against Malawi, Kenya, or India. The squad of 22 players includes several key stars like Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley, and Hayley Raso, but notable absences include Mary Fowler, Ellie Carpenter, Kyra Cooney-Cross, and Katrina Gorry. Clare Hunt is also missing due to surgery on her knee. The Matildas, who recently lost the Womenâs Asian Cup final to Japan, are preparing for the 2027 World Cup, with coach Joe Montemurro emphasizing consistency and exposure to diverse opposition. The series will take place in Nairobi, with the first match against Malawi on April 11, followed by a second match on April 15. Both articles highlight the squadâs preparation and the challenges ahead, though The Guardian notes criticism of the chosen opponents for not being top-ranked teams.
â Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Sam Kerr named captain of the 22-player Matildas squad for the FIFA Series in Kenya
- The Matildas will play Malawi (ranked 153) on April 11 in Nairobi, followed by either Kenya (134) or India (67) on April 15
- Mary Fowler, Ellie Carpenter, Kyra Cooney-Cross, and Katrina Gorry are notable absentees from the squad
- Clare Hunt will miss the tournament due to surgery on her right knee after an Asian Cup injury
- The squad includes stars like Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley, Mackenzie Arnold, Hayley Raso, Alanna Kennedy, and Clare Wheeler
- Leticia McKenna makes her Matildas squad debut, while Jessika Nash and Isabel Gomez return after being left out of the Asian Cup
- The Matildas lost the 2024 Womenâs Asian Cup final 1-0 to Japan on March 21 in Sydney
- Joe Montemurroâs statement: 'This window gives us a valuable opportunity to reflect on the Womenâs Asian Cup and continue building consistency'
- The squad list includes: 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
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Defender Clare Huntâs absence is attributed to surgery on her right knee following an injury during the Asian Cup
- Mary Fowler made it through the Asian Cup unscathed in her first tournament since recovering from an ACL tear
- The Matildas will face Malawi on April 11 in Nairobi, then either Kenya or India on April 15 (second and final game)
- The squad includes 22 players: 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
- Ellie Carpenter is one of several Australian stars who will not play for the Matildas in Kenya
- The Matildas' first matches since losing the Women's Asian Cup final 1-0 to Japan in Sydney on March 21
- The choice of fixtures was criticized for not including top-ranked teams, despite Montemurroâs earlier desire to play them
- Kyra Cooney-Cross is unavailable due to personal reasons
- Montemurro called on a near full-strength squad as the Matildas turn attention to the Womenâs World Cup in Brazil next year
- The Matildas will play Malawi on April 11 (12 April AEST) in Nairobi, followed by a second match on April 15
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC mentions Mary Fowler made it through the Asian Cup unscathed, but The Guardian does not mention her injury status or recovery timeline
- ABC states the Matildas will face Malawi on April 11 in Nairobi, then either Kenya or India on April 15, while The Guardian specifies the first match is on April 11 (12 April AEST) and the second on April 15, but does not clarify the exact date for the second match
- ABC lists 22 players in the squad, while The Guardian does not provide a full squad list but mentions a near full-strength squad
- ABC attributes Clare Huntâs absence to surgery on her right knee following an injury during the Asian Cup, while The Guardian does not mention the specific reason for her absence
- The Guardian criticizes the choice of fixtures for not including top-ranked teams, while ABC does not mention any criticism of the fixtures
Source Articles
Matildas stars return to squad for friendlies as Joe Montemurro builds to 2027 World Cup
Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord named as Mary Fowler rests after Asian Cup Australia to play 153rd-ranked Malawi followed by India or Kenya Matildas coach Joe Montemurro has opted for consistency in buildi...
Kerr in, but several Matildas stars not part of squad for FIFA Series
Sam Kerr has been named, but the Matildas will be missing a number of their other big guns when they travel to Kenya for the team's maiden FIFA Series in April....