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, marking their first matches since losing the 2024 Women’s Asian Cup final to Japan. The squad includes stars like Sam Kerr (captain), Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley, and Hayley Raso, but notable absences include Mary Fowler, Ellie Carpenter, and Katrina Gorry. The team will face Malawi on April 11 and either Kenya or India on April 15, with coach Joe Montemurro focusing on consistency ahead of the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. Leticia McKenna makes her debut, while Jessika Nash and Isabel Gomez return after being left out of the Asian Cup. The Guardian highlights criticism over the choice of opponents, while ABC notes Clare Hunt’s injury absence and Fowler’s ACL recovery. Both sources agree on the squad’s core composition and Montemurro’s strategic approach.
✓ 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.
- Joe Montemurro’s statement emphasizes building consistency for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
- Leticia McKenna (Melbourne City) makes her Matildas squad debut, while Jessika Nash and Isabel Gomez return after being left out of the Asian Cup.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The Matildas are preparing for their first women’s FIFA Series campaign.
- The squad will play against diverse opposition to test styles for the 2027 World Cup.
- The choice of fixtures was criticized as Montemurro had previously expressed a desire to play top-ranked teams.
- Defender Clare Hunt will miss the Kenya friendlies due to surgery on her right knee after 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.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- No contradictions found between the two sources.
Source Articles
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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...