Mackenzie Arnold jersey on sale six months after World Cup outcry

Australia was right behind the Matildas’ World Cup charge but half a year after their incredible performance, one big issue has finally been corrected.

Mackenzie Arnold became a household name. Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images

It has been six months since the end of the Matildas’ stunning World Cup campaign but finally one of the great wrongs has been righted.

While much of the headlines were focused on Sam Kerr’s calf to start the tournament, the mood shifted once the play got underway with goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold playing out of her skin.

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Dubbed the “Minister of Defence”, Arnold was one of the breakout stars as the Matildas’ fourth-place finish captivated Australia.

Arnold was so good — particularly saving the day in the shootout epic against France — that Deputy Prime Minister and defence minister Richard Marles even jokingly gave up his portfolio for the night as the Matildas faced England in the World Cup semi-final.

But while Australia was blown away by the Matildas’ performances and any team merchandise flew off the shelves, there seemed one big oversight — there were no goalkeeper jerseys on sale.

It saw pleas for jersey manufacturer Nike to give the fans what they wanted, particularly after the 10-round shootout against France.

Mackenzie Arnold has had to wait. Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

While Nike sells the goalkeeper shirt for international men’s teams like Barcelona and Chelsea, merchandise for the Matildas was limited to the team’s yellow and gold home stadium shirts and teal colourway for away games.

Until now.

Nike revealed in November that Mackenzie Arnold jerseys would be sold in the lead up to the Paris Olympics, assuming the Matildas made it, teasing a July release

However, it appears the company has made good on their deal, bringing the release forward due to the demand from fans.

You can buy a purple Mackenzie Arnold Matildas goalkeeper jersey tomorrow 🚨🚨🚨

It seems demand has forced @nikefootball to move the drop forward months.

Available online via Football Australia website at 12pm, then in person at Ultra Football and Rebel Sport from Wednesday. https://t.co/5JSlkCy6Zn

— Isobel Cootes (@isobelcootes) February 26, 2024

While there can undoubtedly be some questions as to why it took six months from the Matildas’ World Cup campaign, which ended back in August 2023, to produce the line, at least there are finally some options for young goalkeepers dreaming of following in Arnold’s footsteps.

The jerseys will be produced in purple, replicating the jersey worn by Arnold during the Canada and Denmark games at the World Cup as well as during Olympic qualifying.

She also wore black and a coral pink jerseys during the World Cup.

She wore black in the iconic shootout with France. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

She wore the salmon/coral against Sweden. Photo: Adam Head

Speaking ahead of the jersey release on Tuesday February 27 from Football Australia’s website at midday and in retail stores the following day, Arnold said it she had felt the love from Aussie supporters.

“The support we as goalkeepers have felt from our fans over the last year has been absolutely incredible,” Arnold said.

“It means so much to me that we’ll head into another huge year for our team, and our sport, knowing that our families, friends and fans will be backing us all the way, and wearing our jerseys with pride.

“When I was a young athlete, the idea that I could make a living as a goalkeeper never really crossed my mind. It’s a testament to how far our game has come that the next generation of keepers will now see fans wearing our jerseys in the stands.”

"I feel like it’s Christmas Day." 🟣

Our goalkeeper jersey in the iconic purple colourway will be available to buy at 12pm AEDT tomorrow 📆#Matildaspic.twitter.com/teK3lIE8AO

— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) February 26, 2024

As the black jersey was the one she wore against France in the iconic shootout and England in the semi-final, some fans were quick to ask if those would be next.

One fan asked: “Will you guys eventually release the black GK jersey?”

“Waiting for the iconic black!” another commented.

A third said: “What about the black one because I want my black GK jersey.”

Despite the release, the Matildas have still not wrapped up their Olympic qualification but took a giant leap toward it in Tashkent last week after claiming a 3-0 win over Uzbekistan.

The Matildas complete qualifying at Marvel Stadium on Wednesday with the return fixture.

Originally published as Mackenzie Arnold jersey on sale six months after World Cup outcry