Football Australia announced a 26-player squad for the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026. Head coach Joe Montemurro has included eight debutants in the squad. Leading the team will be captain Sam Kerr, participating in her fifth Asian Cup, with Steph Catley and Ellie Carpenter as vice-captains.
Montemurro, who took charge in June 2025, expressed confidence in the team’s readiness and determination to represent the nation with pride. The tournament marks his first major competition as the Matildas’ head coach. Forward Mary Fowler returns to the squad after recovering from a knee injury sustained in April 2025 while playing for Manchester City.
Australia’s campaign will kick off against the Philippines in Perth on March 1, followed by matches in the Gold Coast and Sydney. The team, which has previously won the Women’s Asian Cup in 2010 and been runners-up in 2006, 2014, and 2018, is placed in Group A alongside South Korea, Iran, and the Philippines.
The AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 serves as the final stage of Asian qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The tournament will feature 12 teams divided into three groups, with the top two teams from each group and the two best third-placed teams advancing to the quarterfinals. Matches will be held at various venues in Sydney, Perth, and the Gold Coast.
