Why Matildas fans can’t buy goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold’s shirt – even after her heroics saved Australia’s World Cup campaign

Mackenzie Arnold may be an Aussie star after her heroic penalty kick against France, but fans wanting to show their support for the Matildas goalkeeper can’t buy her jersey.

Arnold saved three penalties as Australia beat France in the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup on Saturday to set up a semi-final against England in Sydney on Wednesday.

But Matildas supporters who want to buy Arnold’s number 18 jersey can’t because the manufacturer hasn’t put them up for sale.

While the home and away strips of all 20 outfield Matilda players are available, goalkeeper jerseys are not for sale.

That means fans looking to buy Arnold’s shirt – or that of team goalkeepers Teagan Micah and Lydia Williams – will have to settle for their name and number on the back of a green and gold or blue jersey.

Matildas’ goalkeeper saved three penalties in the shoot-out as Australia reached a first-ever Women’s World Cup semi-final

Conversely, goalkeeper jerseys for men’s teams and both international and club level are available for purchase on both Nike and Adidas websites.

The Matildas are not the only team affected by the issue, as Nike has not made goalkeeper jerseys available for the teams it makes kits for.

“We are working with FIFA and individual federations to determine the range and jerseys for sale based on various factors, including demand in some markets,” a Nike spokeswoman said.

The Nike statement added that a number of new products targeted specifically at female athletes had also been launched.

“We are excited about the passion and excitement surrounding this year’s World Cup and are proud to offer the best of Nike innovation and services to our federation partners and hundreds of athletes,” the spokeswoman said.

“We’ve developed brand new innovations specifically designed for the female athlete, including the Phantom Luna, Nike’s most innovative and researched shoe design led by women, our unique Leak Protection Shorts to protect against menstrual leaks and the Federation Kits designed for the female body in movement.

We are also providing rest and recovery services for athletes during this year’s tournament, which is our largest-ever investment in women’s sport during a global moment.”

Adidas has also not made goalkeeper jerseys available for purchase.

A petition highlighting the issue and seeking to persuade Adidas and Nike to change their stance has garnered nearly 40,000 signatures at the time of writing.

Former England international Carly Telford took to social media to point out the absurdity of the situation after three goalkeepers were named Player of the Match in their round of 16 matches.

“I feel like the goalkeepers are taking this issue personally and saying look what you’re missing out on…AND I’M HERE FOR IT,” she wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

Telford’s post was accompanied by the hashtag #SELLTHESHIRTS, which has been used by fans protesting the decision by Nike and Adidas.

Nike said the decision was made after discussions with the individual federations and FIFA “to determine the range and player jerseys for sale based on various factors, including demand in some markets.”

Ahead of the World Cup, England goalkeeper Mary Earps lashed out at Nike’s “hugely hurtful” decision not to offer her goalkeeper shirt for sale for a second tournament.

Fans were unable to buy Earps’ kit during last summer’s European Championship, but the Manchester United shot-stopper had been told the issue would be resolved ahead of the World Cup.

But Earps, who was named the best FIFA women’s goalkeeper for 2022, learned she had been omitted from the promotional photos when the Lionesses World Cup kit launched in April and that her shirt would once again be unavailable.

Earps raised the issue with Nike and even offered to fund the production himself, only to be told that would not be possible.

England goalkeeper Mary Earps was furious over Nike’s ‘hugely hurtful’ decision not to put her goalkeeper shirt on sale for a second tournament

Former England international Carly Telford took to social media to point out the absurdity of Nike and Adidas’ decision

“There’s no way I can cover this up so I’m not going to try, it’s hugely disappointing and very hurtful,” she told Mail Sport last month.

“It’s something I’ve been fighting for behind closed doors. I have desperately tried to find a solution with the FA and with Nike.

“Unfortunately, it has become very clear that this is not possible and there will be no acceptable solution for the young children out there.

“On a personal level, of course, it’s hugely hurtful, especially considering the past 12 months.”