Matildas name stacked World Cup squad as fan favourites miss out

The Matildas have named a star-studded World Cup squad as they prepare to host a historic maiden home tournament.

Matildas captain Sam Kerr. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson has named a star-studded line-up as Australia prepares to host its maiden FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Ballon d’Or Féminin nominee Sam Kerr headlines the squad as captain in her fourth World Cup, with defender Steph Catley named as vice-captain.

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And Gustavsson has also backed veterans Kyah Simon and Alanna Kennedy for the final 23-player squad despite a heavily interrupted preparation.

Gustavsson said the team were looking forward to home crowds.

“Today is the end of a two-and-a-half-year process and the wonderful start of a thrilling new journey for the team,” Gustavsson said.

“Selecting this World Cup squad has been the toughest challenge so far, but the whole coaching and support staff are all completely overjoyed for the 23 players who will represent the nation during this tournament.

“These 23 players not only exemplify what it means to be a part of the tradition of the CommBank Matildas, but also what it means to represent the 25 million Australians we know are fully behind us.

“They have the heart, desire and the passion for the crest, and I can’t wait to see the next part of their story.”

Matildas squad for 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup

1. Lydia Williams

2. Courtney Nevin

3. Aivi Luik

4. Clare Polkinghorne

5. Cortnee Vine

6. Clare Wheeler

7. Steph Catley

8. Alex Chidiac

9. Caitlin Foord

10. Emily van Egmond

11. Mary Fowler

12. Teagan Micah

13. Tameka Yallop

14. Alanna Kennedy

15. Clare Hunt

16. Hayley Raso

17. Kyah Simon

18. Mackenzie Arnold

19. Katrina Gorry

20. Sam Kerr

21. Ellie Carpenter

22. Charlotte Grant

23. Kyra Cooney-Cross

Sam Kerr leads the side. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

However, the Matildas coach has also made some tough calls with midfielder Chloe Logarzo among six players omitted from last week’s provisional 29-player squad after failing to prove her fitness.

Logarzo has battled plantar fasciitis since rupturing her ACL in September 2021 playing for the Matildas against Ireland.

Simon was a big inclusion, having completed a stunning comeback from an ACL injury in October last year to make the squad, with Gustavsson saying her potential to impact games off the bench had put her ahead of strong competition for the final attacking spot in the squad.

“As that last attacking player, she was competing with a lot of other forwards,” Gustavsson said.

“(Simon) is not selected based on where she’s at right now, eight months post-op, she’s selected on where we’re thinking she can be a month from now.

“I don’t expect her to start the game, I don’t think she’s ready for that, but being a game changer off the bench and change the game when you’re needed.”

Kyah Simon is coming back. Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images

The dream isn’t over for the omitted players. Logarzo, Jada Whyman, Remy Siemsen, Amy Sayer, Larissa Crummer and Emily Gielnik could all be called upon before the tournament as several selected players are still overcoming injury issues.

Australia will play European giants France in a friendly at Marvel Stadium in front of a sold-out crowd on July 14, before kicking off their World Cup campaign in Sydney on July 20 against Ireland.

They will play Nigeria in Brisbane on July 27 before returning to Melbourne to face reigning Olympic gold medallists Canada for their final group stage fixture on July 31.

— with Ed Bourke, NCA Newswire