Matildas set to return to action after poor Olympic Games campaign

They still don’t have a coach but the Matildas have secured an opponent for October’s FIFA women’s international window.

The Matildas will meet Germany in one of two friendly matches the Australians will play in October when they return to action for the first time since their disappointing Paris Olympics campaign.

Still without a coach following the departure of Swede Tony Gustavsson after their failure to reach the knockout stages of the women’s football tournament in Paris last month, the Matildas will take on the Germans – who captured Olympic bronze – in Duisburg on October 29 (AEDT).

It was be the second of two games the Matildas will play in Europe in October’s FIFA women’s international window, with details of the other match yet to be announced.

The Matildas will meet Germany in October. Picture: Valery Hache/AFP

“With many of our Matildas now based in the Northern Hemisphere and having only just commenced their new domestic seasons, we were keen to play this window away, with Germany fitting the bill and providing a great opportunity to commence the next four-year cycle,” Football Australia chief executive officer James Johnson said.

Johnson also said it was “important” the Matildas tested themselves to “best prepare” for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup and the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

FA confirmed in a statement that the “recruitment process” for Gustavsson’s replacement had started, and that “updates” would be provided in “due course”.

Originally published as Matildas set to return to action after poor Olympic Games campaign