The Australia Women’s World Cup 2023 squad are into the semi-finals of the tournament.
Between a combination of their form coming into the tournament, co-hosting alongside New Zealand and a well-respected head coach in Tony Gustavsson, there was plenty of hype about a nation who hasn’t really troubled the latter stages of World Cups coming into 2023.
At one point, it looked like it was all about to fall apart. After squeezing past Republic of Ireland in the opener, a shock loss to Nigeria in the second game left the Matildas on the verge, but they responded with a crushing 4-0 win over Canada to seal qualification as group winners and eliminate the Olympic champions.
Mixed in with all this is the fact Gustavsson has had to contend without his star player in Chelsea’s Sam Kerr, that was until the striker made a late cameo in their comfortable second round 2-0 win over Denmark.
It took a couple of games for them to work out how to deal with Kerr’s absence, but once Caitlin Foord was switched to the left and Mary Fowler linked up with Emily van Egmond in attack, the goals have flowed. Foord has been near unstoppable playing from the left while youngster Fowler is enjoying a growing influence on the team, with midfield duo Kyra Cooney-Cross and Katrina Gorry providing a solid foundation in the middle of the park.
With each game, momentum is building as Australia dares to dream it might be coming home, especially after they managed to contend with a France side in the quarter-finals who were also finding momentum as the tournament progressed. A 7-6 victory on penalties, after a goalless draw in 120 minutes of football, ensured the Matildas progress to the semis, where they face England for a shot at the final.
Australia Women's World Cup 2023 squad
Australia Women's World Cup 2023 squad
- GK: Lydia Williams (Brighton)
- GK: Teagan Micah (Rosengard)
- GK: Mackenzie Arnold (West Ham)
- DF: Courtney Nevin (Leicester City)
- DF: Aivi Luik (BK Häcken)
- DF: Claire Polkinghorne (Vittsjö)
- DF: Ellie Carpenter (Lyon)
- DF: Charlotte Grant (Vittsjö)
- DF: Clare Hunt (Western Sydney Wanderers)
- DF: Steph Catley (Arsenal)
- DF: Alanna Kennedy (Manchester City)
- MF: Tameka Yallop (Brann)
- MF: Katrina Gorry (Brisbane Roar)
- MF: Kyra Cooney-Cross (Hammarby)
- MF: Clare Wheeler (Everton)
- MF: Alex Chidiac (Racing Louisville)
- MF: Emily van Egmond (San Diego Wave)
- FW: Cortnee Vine (Sydney FC)
- FW: Mary Fowler (Manchester City)
- FW: Hayley Raso (Manchester City)
- FW: Sam Kerr (Chelsea)
- FW: Caitlin Foord (Arsenal)
- FW: Kyah Simon (Free agent)
Australia manager
Who is Australia's manager?
Tony Gustavsson has a very impressive CV when it comes to women's football. Having previously managed in the men's game, he joined Tyresö in 2012, leading them to their first Damallsvenskan title and a Champions League final.
After they became insolvent, Gustvasson became an assistant coach for the United State's Women's National Team, working with the side for their World Cup wins in 2015 and 2019.
He left to become the Australia first team manager in 2020. Whilst results have not always been great under Gustavsson - the 2022 Asian Cup exit was a particular disappointment - reaching the semi-finals of the Tokyo Olympics was seen as a big achievement.
Top scorers
Who's scored for Australia?
Three goals
Hayley Raso
Two goals
Steph Catley
One goal
Caitlin Foord
Mary Fowler
Alanna Kennedy
Emily van Egmond
How many players are Australia allowed to take to the World Cup 2023?
Australia have announced 23 players for their World Cup squad. Whilst concerns about loading and intensity within the women's game has led to requests for expanded squads, this was rejected by FIFA.
