Matildas striker Michelle Heyman keen to play in 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup

As the Matildas embark on their journey to the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup, a veteran of the squad has stated her intention be part of the tournament on home soil.

Veteran striker Michelle Heyman’s desire to represent Australia in a major tournament on home soil continues to drive her as the Matildas start their post-Olympic Games journey.

Under interim coach Tom Sermanni, the Matildas play their first game since the Paris Olympics on Saturday morning (AEDT) against Switzerland in Zurich.

Heyman, 36, was part of Australia’s disappointing Paris campaign, but wasn’t in the Matildas squad for last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Watching that tournament, which was held in Australia and New Zealand, from the grandstands rekindled the Canberra United forward’s desire to play international football.

And now having achieved that, Heyman has no intention of slowing down as she aims for selection in the Matildas squad for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, which Australia is also hosting.

“It was a pretty cool experience being in the stands for the World Cup but it did give me all that fire in the belly to want to be out on that field,” she said on Monday night.

“I hold that World Cup very close to me. I feel like that has changed my life and it has re-sparked that drive that I had to be in this team.

“I will use that energy that I got from watching those games to continue to push me and keep fighting to be there for the Asian Cup.”

Matildas striker Michelle Heyman wants to play a major tournament on home soil. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Helping to “push” Heyman, at least initially, towards the Asian Cup will be a coach she knows very well in Sermanni, who was recently appointed in a caretaker coaching capacity following the departure of Swede Tony Gustavsson after the Matildas’ failure to reach the knockout stages of Olympic Games women’s football tournament.

Sermanni, 70, coached the Matildas from 2005 to 2012 and guided Australia to Asian Cup glory in 2010.

“I’m really looking forward to working with Tommy again,” Heyman said.

“He’s the coach who gave me my debut (in 2010), so I’ve got great respect for him.

“He’s an incredible human, extremely happy all the time, and he brings a really positive vibe into this environment.

“I know what his strengths are, and I’m excited to watch him bring that into our training sessions and allow us to grow as footballers, and be able to teach us new ways  and get that Aussie feeling of being tough, hard hitters and just going out there and giving it our all.”

Heyman was reluctant to give an opinion on the difference in styles between Sermanni and Gustavsson.

“They’ve both got their own strengths, and the one thing I’m looking at in this camp is listen, take it all in, and whatever Tommy says, that’s what you do.

“He’s the boss, and you just run with it, go with it, and try to be the best footballer you can.”   

Originally published as Matildas striker Michelle Heyman keen to play in 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup