Matildas defender Charli Grant’s journey from Cumberland United to FIFA Women’s World Cup

In the blink of an eye, Charli Grant has gone from teenage Adelaide United prospect to featuring in a global World Cup marketing campaign. ADAM PEACOCK chats to the defender about her rapid rise.

The 21-year-old Charli Grant is representing Australia in a global marketing campaign alongside football greats like Alex Popp, Eugenie Le Sommer and Fridolina Rolfo.

With good reason, a smile is never far from the face of World Cup debutant Charli Grant.

The Adelaide-born, Sweden-based defender has bolted into the Matildas squad after a remarkable ascent in the past two years.

From teenage prospect with Adelaide United to professional player in Sweden, a Matildas debut, trip to the Olympics, goal-scorer against European champions England, and now, a World Cup squad.

And there’s more.

With World Cup fever about to sweep across Australia, Grant is part of a global marketing campaign for Puma, her photos splashed over billboards and Instagram ads next to some of the established greats of the women’s game like Alex Popp (Germany) Eugenie Le Sommer (France) and Fridolina Rolfo (Sweden).

“I couldn’t believe the names and calibre of players there,” Grant says of when she saw the mosaic of faces.

“It’s a privilege to be on a poster with them, I couldn’t believe I was next to some of those girls!”

It wasn’t that long ago Grant was one of the first to arrive on a frosty Sunday morning to the Women’s Memorial Playing Field, St Marys, in the south of Adelaide.

Bursting with energy for Cumberland United, Grant was easy to spot, charging around the pitch in the brightest boots mum and dad could find.

“Always loved the bright colours. But looking back on it, I don’t know how I played that early,” she laughs.

Whatever she did, it worked, given she gets paid to wear boots now instead of relying on her parents’ goodwill and bank balance.

Grant went from Cumberland, to the South Australian NTC elite program, to A-League club Adelaide United.

Then the big break, overseas to Sweden at the same time Tony Gustavsson took over the Matildas job with the clear remit of introducing young players to the senior team.

Grant celebrates the Matildas’ friendly victory over England earlier in 2023. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

“If not for Tony’s belief in me, I wouldn’t be where I am,” Grant, who made her Matildas debut four months after going overseas.

“The move to Sweden has helped me grow, and I had to improve my technical game.

“Speed and fitness has always been my strength, but I could sometimes get away with things. Can’t get away with them (in Sweden).”

Grant, a turbocharged defender who can play left or right back, has taken advantage of every opportunity available, starting 12 of the Matildas’ past 13 games.

It doesn’t guarantee a start at the World Cup, with established stars Steph Catley and Ellie Carpenter the probable fullbacks for the July 20 opener against Ireland.

Just being around Catley and Carpenter is laced with wonder for Grant.

“As I slowly got more involved seriously in the game, I started to look up to Ellie and Steph,” she says.

“Very grateful to be playing alongside some of the idols I’ve looked up to.”

Grant can’t wait to pick the brain of Arsenal star and Matildas teammate Steph Catley during the World Cup. Picture: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

For the past six months, everything has been about getting World Cup preparation spot on, with Grant putting her university studies – a psychology degree – on hold to get her head around playing in front of packed houses on home soil.

The last little bit has been agonising.

The Scandinavian leagues play through the northern summer, but didn’t stop until the past weekend, when players had to be released by order of FIFA.

Some in Sweden got an early mark, like Grant’s teammate at Vittsjo, Katrina Gorry.

Loved having a chat with @KatrinaGorry about life before and after motherhood, always surrounded by football.
Kids allowed in camp, so Harper Gorry is one of two bringing a happy dynamic to @TheMatildas@codesportsauhttps://t.co/pky7tH3gHj

— Adam Peacock (@adampeacock3) June 20, 2023

Grant had to stay, which was tough on a couple of fronts. Grant has become a surrogate aunty to Gorry’s three-year-old daughter Harper. “Aunty Cha Cha” is her official title.

And then there was the hive of social media activity from the rest of her Matildas family, gathered in camp in Melbourne.

“Yeah there’s been a bit of FOMO!” Grant chuckles.

But there’s also maturity about the 21-year-old with full realisation that every little step taken in the past two years has been about the bigger picture.

“In order to perform for the Matildas I had to perform for Vittsjo, and give my best to the team there.

“All I’ve thought about is the World Cup.”

Originally published as Matildas defender Charli Grant’s journey from Cumberland United to FIFA Women’s World Cup