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 11–15 April 2024, preparing for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The squad includes captain Sam Kerr, Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Hayley Raso, and Mackenzie Arnold, but omits key players like Mary Fowler, Ellie Carpenter, and Katrina Gorry. The team will face Malawi on 11 April and either Kenya or India on 15 April, marking their first FIFA Series campaign. Coach Joe Montemurro emphasized consistency and exposure to diverse opposition as priorities. Notably, Clare Hunt is missing due to knee surgery, while Leticia McKenna and Jessika Nash make their returns. Both sources agree on the squad’s core composition and the upcoming fixtures, though discrepancies exist in naming the final roster member and Hunt’s absence.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The Matildas named a 22-player squad for FIFA Series friendlies in Kenya on 11–15 April 2024
- Sam Kerr is captain of the squad, with Steph Catley as deputy captain
- Key players selected include Caitlin Foord, Mackenzie Arnold, Hayley Raso, Alanna Kennedy, and Clare Wheeler
- Notable omissions from the squad include Mary Fowler, Ellie Carpenter, Katrina Gorry, and Kyra Cooney-Cross
- The Matildas will face Malawi (FIFA rank 153) on 11 April, followed by either Kenya (rank 134) or India (rank 67) on 15 April
- The squad includes Leticia McKenna (Melbourne City debut), Jessika Nash (US Sassuolo return), and Isabel Gomez (Central Coast Mariners return)
- The team lost the 2024 Women’s Asian Cup final 1-0 to Japan on 21 March 2024
- Joe Montemurro’s statement emphasizes building consistency for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil
- The squad was selected to reflect on the Asian Cup and prepare for global challenges
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Clare Hunt (defender) is missing due to surgery on her right knee after an Asian Cup injury
- The Guardian lists the full squad with Clare Wheeler (not Hunt) as the 22nd player
- The Guardian mentions the squad is a 'near full-strength' group for the World Cup build-up
- The Guardian notes the Fifa Series is Australia’s first women’s FIFA Series campaign
- Clare Hunt (defender) is explicitly named as missing due to knee surgery after the Asian Cup
- ABC includes a photo caption referencing Ellie Carpenter’s absence
- ABC highlights that Fowler made it through the Asian Cup unscathed after recovering from an ACL tear
- ABC notes Montemurro has been in the role for 'a tad over 10 months'
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian lists Clare Wheeler as the 22nd player in the squad, while ABC does not mention Wheeler’s inclusion or exclusion
- The Guardian does not mention Clare Hunt’s absence, but ABC explicitly states she is missing due to knee surgery
- The Guardian refers to the squad as 'near full-strength,' while ABC does not use this phrasing
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....