Football Australia announces provisional Matildas squad for upcoming 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup

The Matildas have announced their preliminary roster of 29 players for next month’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, with Sam Kerr captaining a bumper squad brimming with talent.

Excitingly for Australia, crucial veterans Chloe Logarzo, Alanna Kennedy, Tameka Yallop and Kyah Simon have been named despite fitness issues, although unfortunately for Elise Kellond-Knight there will be no miraculous return after a ruptured Achilles tendon brutally crushed her World Cup chances.

Rising stars Amy Sayer, Remy Siemsen and Clare Hunt will relish the chance to compete for spots in the final squad, while promising goalkeeper Jada Whyman is included in the competitive shot-stopper room.

Australia kicks off at home to Ireland on July 20 in front of a sold-out crowd of over 80,000 fans at Sydney Olympic Park.

Matches against Nigeria in Brisbane (July 27) and challenger Canada in Melbourne (July 31) follow, with Matildas’ big favorites leaving the group.

Coach Tony Gustavsson said the team is just proving it’s much more than just the Sam Kerr show for Australia – challenging for a World Cup requires depth, which the squad has in spades.

“From day one of our first training session in 2021, we said it would take 23 in 23 for the FIFA Women’s World Cup and everyone would play a part in that journey,” he said in a statement announcing the squad on Monday. morning.

“What we have seen is that it has actually taken over 23 players to bring us to this point and so I am delighted to be working with the players named in this provisional squad during the final stages of our preparation .

“I am impressed with their full commitment every step of the way, and now we have the opportunity to fine-tune and solidify our game plan for a phenomenally exciting few weeks.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Federation, my dedicated National Team staff and the clubs for the support they have given to provide the players with the platform to be as prepared as possible for the tournament of their life.’

The preliminary squad is gathering on Queensland’s Gold Coast to prepare for the tournament through June 30, with Gustavsson saying it will provide a ‘platform to be as prepared as possible for the tournament of a lifetime’.

Kerr’s side will then head south to Melbourne to continue their preparations with a friendly against one of the favorites for the title, France, on July 14.

Keepers

Mackenzie Arnold, Lydia Williams, Tegan Micah, Jada Whyman

Defenders

Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley, Charlotte Grant, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy, Aivi Luik, Courtney Nevin, Clare Polkinghorne

Midfielders

Alex Chidiac, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Katrina Gorry, Chloe Logarzo, Amy Sayer, Emily van Egmond, Clare Wheeler, Tameka Yallop

Forward

Larissa Crummer, Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Emily Gielnik, Sam Kerr, Hayley Raso, Remy Siemsen, Kyah Simon, Cortnee Vine