The hero of the Matildas’ World Cup quarter-final shootout victory over France, Cortnee Vine, makes her return to the national team alongside Sam Kerr as coach Joe Montemurro names a strong 24-player squad for friendlies against Wales and England.
Kerr returns to the fold for the first time since November 2023, Montemurro confirmed, after injuring her ACL during a Chelsea training camp in January 2024.
The coach said having the star striker back in the team was a special moment for the team and Australian football generally.
“Her leadership and presence are invaluable as we continue building toward the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 and beyond,” Montemurro said in a statement.
Vine, who kicked the winning penalty to take the Matildas into the World Cup semi-final in August 2023, has been selected for the first time since the Paris Olympics, after which she took a break for personal reasons, then experienced injury and form issues on joining the NSLW in the US.
Midfield powerhouse Katrina Gorry will also make her long-awaited return for the October camp, after missing previous international windows through injury and personal leave.
Montemurro said he was excited to bring these players together with the opportunity to challenge themselves before next year’s tournament.
“The squad showcases the depth we are looking to build, by utilising experienced players who continue to set high standards alongside the next generation of CommBank Matildas players,” he said.
“It will be Australia’s first time competing against Wales and there is a competitive history with England, so both games will provide different challenges to test the team, our playing style and the way we play together.”
With the return of Kerr, Vine and Gorry, plus senior players Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord back, many of the newer Matildas faces seen over the last few international camps miss out.
Goalkeeper Jada Whyman is the only uncapped player in the squad, while at the other end of the scale forward Hayley Raso is in line to get her 100th Matildas cap.
Mary Fowler and Tameka Yallop are still nursing injuries, although Montemurro said he expects Fowler to be back playing by the end of the year.
The Matildas will face Wales at Cardiff City stadium on 25 October (2pm BST/midnight AEDT 26 October). They will then head to Derby in England to play the Lionesses for the eighth time, at Pride Park stadium on 28 October (7.00pm BST/5am AEDT 29 October).
The Matildas last faced England in the semi-final of the 2023 Women’s World Cup in which England won 3-1 before going on to lose the final against Spain.
Australia squad
Mackenzie Arnold, Teagan Micah, Jada Whyman; Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley, Charlotte Grant, Winonah Heatley, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy, Courtney Nevin, Jamilla Rankin; Kyra Cooney-Cross, Katrina Gorry, Amy Sayer, Emily Van Egmond, Clare Wheeler; Caitlin Foord, Michelle Heyman, Sam Kerr, Holly McNamara, Hayley Raso, Remi Siemsen, Kaitlyn Torpey, Cortnee Vine.
