The Matildas gear up to thrill fans at the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, hosted across Sydney, Perth, and the Gold Coast in March. This comprehensive guide spotlights the full squad, from established stars like Sam Kerr, Ellie Carpenter, and Mary Fowler to promising newcomers such as Amy Sayer, Winonah Heatley, and Kahli Johnson.
Goalkeepers
Mackenzie Arnold
Hometown: Gold Coast, QLD
Current club: Portland Thorns (USA)
Caps/goals before 2026 Asian Cup: 61 (0)
Arnold secures her legacy with standout saves during Australia’s 2023 World Cup quarterfinal penalty shootout win against France, stopping three shots in a 20-kick thriller. She debuted internationally in 2012 and has competed for clubs in Australia, England, and the US. An advocate for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community, she manages hearing loss.
Jada Whyman
Hometown: Wagga Wagga, NSW
Current club: AIK (Sweden)
Caps/goals before 2026 Asian Cup: 0 (0)
The sole uncapped player in the squad, Whyman steps up as second-choice goalkeeper behind Arnold following Teagan Micah’s withdrawal. A Wiradjuri Yorta Yorta woman, she played for Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC before joining AIK in 2024.
Chloe Lincoln
Hometown: Armidale, NSW
Current club: Brisbane Roar (Australia)
Caps/goals before 2026 Asian Cup: 3 (0)
The 21-year-old joins the squad due to Micah’s late withdrawal. She debuted internationally in 2024 after stints with Canberra United, Western United, and Brisbane Roar in the A-League.
Defenders
Clare Hunt
Hometown: Grenfell, NSW
Current club: Tottenham Hotspur (England)
Caps/goals before 2026 Asian Cup: 39 (1)
Hunt rose swiftly from her 2023 debut to a defensive cornerstone at the World Cup. She progressed to PSG and now starts regularly for Tottenham in the Women’s Super League.
Steph Catley
Hometown: Melbourne, VIC
Current club: Arsenal (England)
Caps/goals before 2026 Asian Cup: 141 (7)
A Matildas legend with three World Cup appearances and the fifth-most caps ever, Catley shifts centrally from fullback. She won the UEFA Champions League and two FA Cups with Arsenal after playing in Australia and the US.
Alanna Kennedy
Hometown: Sydney, NSW
Current club: London City Lionesses (England)
Caps/goals before 2026 Asian Cup: 142 (12)
Kennedy excels as a robust centre-back since her 2012 debut at age 17. She enters her fourth Asian Cup and has played across Australia, England, and the US, joining London City for 2025/26.
Winonah Heatley
Hometown: Port Douglas, QLD
Current club: AS Roma (Italy)
Caps/goals before 2026 Asian Cup: 13 (0)
Versatile across defence and holding midfield, Heatley eyes a breakout after stints in Sweden and Denmark. She signed with AS Roma in 2025.
Charlize Rule
Hometown: Sydney, NSW
Current club: Brighton & Hove Albion (England)
Caps/goals before 2026 Asian Cup: 1 (0)
A utility right-sided centre-back, Rule debuted in 2023 before injury sidelined her. An A-League champion with Sydney FC, she moved to England that year.
Courtney Nevin
Hometown: Sydney, NSW
Current club: Malmo FF (Sweden)
Caps/goals before 2026 Asian Cup: 40 (1)
The 24-year-old attacking fullback brings Olympic and World Cup experience. She joined Malmo FF after clubs in Australia, Denmark, and England.
Ellie Carpenter
Hometown: Cowra, NSW
Current club: Chelsea (England)
Caps/goals before 2026 Asian Cup: 93 (5)
The first post-2000 Matildas debutant in 2016, Carpenter thrives as a dynamic fullback for elite clubs in Australia, the US, France, and England.
Jamilla Rankin
Hometown: Eureka, NSW
Current club: TSG Hoffenheim (Germany)
Caps/goals before 2026 Asian Cup: 7 (0)
A central defender from regional NSW, Rankin moved to Hoffenheim after Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory. She debuted in 2022 and offers rotation depth.
Midfielders
Clare Wheeler
Hometown: Newcastle, NSW
Current club: Everton (England)
Caps/goals before 2026 Asian Cup: 34 (2)
A versatile number six or box-to-box player, Wheeler emerges as a starter after World Cup squad inclusion and strong Everton form.
Alex Chidiac
Hometown: Adelaide, SA
Current club: FC Como (Italy)
Caps/goals before 2026 Asian Cup: 37 (2)
Debuting at 16, the versatile Chidiac won a second Julie Dolan Medal and shines at Como since mid-2025.
Kyra Cooney-Cross
Hometown: Sunshine Coast, QLD
Current club: Arsenal (England)
Caps/goals before 2026 Asian Cup: 63 (2)
Known for stunning long-range goals, the 24-year-old creative hub gains more Arsenal minutes. The community supported her through her mother’s rare cancer diagnosis.
Katrina Gorry
Hometown: Brisbane, QLD
Current club: West Ham United (England)
Caps/goals before 2026 Asian Cup: 118 (18)
“Mini” Gorry, a midfield anchor for over a decade, chases her first Matildas trophy post-2010 win. Her tenacity spans 10 clubs across three continents and three World Cups.
Amy Sayer
Hometown: Sydney, NSW
Current club: Malmo FF (Sweden)
Caps/goals before 2026 Asian Cup: 19 (4)
The Stanford graduate in human biology and philosophy overcame an ACL injury that sidelined her from the 2024 Olympics.
Emily van Egmond
Hometown: Newcastle, NSW
Current club: Leicester City (England)
Caps/goals before 2026 Asian Cup: 165 (32)
The most-capped Matilda provides veteran impact and experience in crucial moments at Leicester City.
Forwards
Caitlin Foord
Hometown: Shellharbour, NSW
Current club: Arsenal (England)
Caps/goals before 2026 Asian Cup: 140 (39)
The 31-year-old debuted at 16 and remains a devastating force in the front three at Arsenal.
Mary Fowler
Hometown: Cairns, QLD
Current club: Manchester City (England)
Caps/goals before 2026 Asian Cup: 63 (16)
Fowler’s vision and skill mark her as a future great. She overcame ACL rupture, mental health challenges, and racism, returning fit per coach Joe Montemurro.
Hayley Raso
Hometown: Gold Coast, QLD
Current club: Eintracht Frankfurt (Germany)
Caps/goals before 2026 Asian Cup: 103 (24)
The pacey winger completes the front three, a national team mainstay despite club moves across Australia, US, England, Spain, and Germany.
Michelle Heyman
Hometown: Shellharbour, NSW
Current club: Canberra United (Australia)
Caps/goals before 2026 Asian Cup: 85 (33)
The 37-year-old staged a comeback post-2019 retirement to aid Olympic qualification, dazzling in A-League Women.
Kahli Johnson
Hometown: Sydney, NSW
Current club: Calgary Wild FC (Canada)
Caps/goals before 2026 Asian Cup: 3 (1)
Johnson debuts at a major tournament in Canada’s Northern Super League after U20 World Cups and a strong A-League season.
Sam Kerr
Hometown: Perth, WA
Current club: Chelsea (England)
Caps/goals before 2026 Asian Cup: 131 (69)
Captain Kerr, back from ACL injury, elevates the team in her fifth Asian Cup. The sole 2010 winner, she cements her icon status.
Holly McNamara
Hometown: Sydney, NSW
Current club: Melbourne City (Australia)
Caps/goals before 2026 Asian Cup: 16 (1)
Overcoming three ACL injuries, McNamara dominates A-League Women and leads the line effectively.
Remy Siemsen
Hometown: Sydney, NSW
Current club: FC Rosengard (Sweden)
Caps/goals before 2026 Asian Cup: 14 (0)
After missing the 2023 World Cup, Siemsen provides bench reliability at her new Swedish club.
Kaitlyn Torpey
Hometown: Brisbane, QLD
Current club: Newcastle United (England)
Caps/goals before 2026 Asian Cup: 21 (2)
Listed as forward but versatile as wing-back, Torpey maximizes international chances.
Coach
Joe Montemurro
Hometown: Melbourne
Montemurro takes his first national team role after triumphs with Melbourne City, Arsenal (FA Cup, WSL), Juventus (treble), and Lyon (Premiere Ligue). He left Lyon early for the Matildas.
