Matildas ready to fight for FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy in Australia

It’s almost time for football fans across the world to tune in to watch the best of the best compete for the FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy as countries battle it out in Australia and New Zealand.

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be the ninth time in history women’s football teams from around the globe try to hoist the trophy above their heads in victory.

Australia and New Zealand will be co-hosting the World Cup, starting on July 20, where 32 teams will take to the pitch representing their homeland.

Aussie fans will be cheering on their very own Matildas as they fight for a spot in the final on August 20.

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson has named a star-studded line-up, with the team looking forward to playing in front of home crowds.

“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,” Gustavsson said on July 3 at the team announcement.

“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.”

The Matildas have never made it past the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals but are hoping with the support of the home crowd they’ll be able to make history.

Australia will kick off their World Cup campaign against Ireland at Accor Stadium in Sydney on July 20.

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.

FIFA has named five key Matildas players to watch out for during the World Cup:

Sam Kerr – captain

Position: Forward

Date of birth: September 10, 1993

Height: 168cm

Team: Chelsea Football Club, England

The Ballon d’Or Féminin nominee has been selected to headline the squad as captain in her fourth World Cup.

A prominent force playing for Chelsea FC, Kerr holds the all-time goalscoring records for Australian international players and the National Women’s Soccer League (USA).

The former Young Australian of the Year has also won the Golden Boot in three different leagues and on three different continents.

Her list of accolades extends to four nominations for FIFA World Player of the Year while also becoming the first female footballer to appear on the cover of a FIFA video game.

The Matildas captain has been in a relationship with US football player Kristie Mewis since 2021, after the couple met playing as rivals during their American careers.

They made their relationship public in 2021 after Mewis was seen consoling Kerr on field after Australia was defeated by the US during the Tokyo Olympics.

The two have spent their time living in different countries since Kerr joined Chelsea and Mewis plays for Gotham FC.

Mewis will be making her World Cup debut having been selected to play for her home the US.

Kerr has also written an inspiring a series of children’s books in her spare time.

Ellie Carpenter

Position: Right-back

Date of birth: April 28, 2000

Height: 164cm

Team: Olympique Lyonnais, Lyon in France

The Cowra native continues to dominate on the field, having played for Australia, in the US and France, where she helped Lyon win two UEFA Women’s Champions Leagues.

Considered a veteran in the game at the age of 23, Carpenter made her pro debut at 15 years old and became the youngest female footballing Olympian at 16 years old.

The star fullback said the Matildas were ready to thrive on the world stage.

“I think (to Europeans) we’re underdogs I would say, but after that win against England, I think we have a new-found respect,” Carpenter said.

“Especially when I went back to my club, I think everyone was a bit shocked. I didn’t say much, I just kept my mouth shut.

“I think people are a bit wary of us now, especially at home, and I think after that win against England we’re kind of on people’s radars.”

“I think this is the strongest squad we have had in the history of the Matildas and their World Cup campaigns.”

Carpenter has 61 caps for the Matildas as she heads into her second World Cup.

The Lyon star is dating Danielle van de Donk, who also plays for Lyon and the Dutch midfielder who will be also appearing in the 2023 World Cup for the Netherlands.

The couple have been dating since 2021, sharing their relationship with fans on social media.

Steph Catley – vice-captain

Position: Left-back

Date of birth: January 26, 1994

Height: 171cm

Team: Arsenal Football Club, England

Defender Steph Catley has been named vice-captain ahead of the World Cup.

She moved to Arsenal FC – the most successful club in the English women’s game – in 2020 and has 109 caps for Australia.

Catley shared on social media she was honoured to be selected to play in her third World Cup for Australia.

“To represent my country in the biggest tournament in the world on home soil is a dream bigger than I could have ever imagined,” Catley said.

Catley announced in January she was engaged to longtime partner Dean Bouzanis, a goalkeeper for Reading in the EFL Championship.

“My forever family,” Catley shared on Instagram when the pair got engaged.

The football couple met when they were both playing in Australia for the women’s and men’s Melbourne City teams.

Hayley Raso

Position: Winger

Date of birth: September 5, 1994

Height: 162cm

Team: Real Madrid CF, Spain

The Gold Coast superstar has played for the likes of Washington Spirit, Portland Thorns and Manchester City before landing a spot at Real Madrid.

Raso has averaged a goal every other game for Australia since the start of 2022.

Sharing her excitement on social media about being selected to play in her third World Cup, Raso said she couldn’t wait to play in front of a home crowd.

“More than I could have ever imagined. A World Cup on home soil,” Raso said.

“I’m honoured to represent Australia at my third (Word Cup).”

The football star keeps her romantic life out of the spotlight but has shared some incredible photos from her travels around the world while soaking up the sun.

Caitlin Foord

Position: Attacking midfielder, winger or forward

Date of birth: November 11, 1994

Height: 165cm

Team: Arsenal Football Club, England

The former Central Coast Mariners, Sydney FC and Perth Glory forward is ready to take on the world.

Having made her women’s World Cup debut as a 16-year-old in 2011, Foord has dominated the sport, representing her country and Arsenal, where she scored 12 goals in the 2022/23 season.

Capped 108 times and a scorer of 29 goals for Australia, Foord said she felt “ready” and “prepared” for the World Cup.

“I just want to be there and experience it,” Foord said.

“It’s been a long time coming.”

Australia will be relying on Foord and her attacking combination with the team’s all-time leading goalscorer, Kerr.

“Anywhere in the frontline is nice, being among the fun part of the game,” Foord said of her favourite position.

“I’m just happy to be wherever I’m needed going into whatever the game is.

“I’ve been trying to focus on consistency and just playing the best I can and that’s something I’ll continue trying to do throughout this tournament as well.”

Foord has kept her personal relationships private online, only posting photos with friends and teammates across the globe.

Matildas squad for 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup

1. Lydia Williams – goalkeeper

2. Courtney Nevin – defender

3. Aivi Luik – defender

4. Clare Polkinghorne – defender

5. Cortnee Vine – forward

6. Clare Wheeler – midfielder

7. Steph Catley – defender

8. Alex Chidiac – midfielder

9. Caitlin Foord – forward

10. Emily van Egmond – midfielder

11. Mary Fowler – forward

12. Teagan Micah – goalkeeper

13. Tameka Yallop – midfielder

14. Alanna Kennedy – defender

15. Clare Hunt – defender

16. Hayley Raso – forward

17. Kyah Simon – forward

18. Mackenzie Arnold – goalkeeper

19. Katrina Gorry – midfielder

20. Sam Kerr – forward

21. Ellie Carpenter – defender

22. Charlotte Grant – defender

23. Kyra Cooney-Cross – forward

Australia will play host to 35 World Cup matches, while 29 tournament games will be played in New Zealand from July 20, 2023.

The Matildas will be up against Ireland in Sydney on July 20, Nigeria in Brisbane on July 27 and Canada on July 31 in Melbourne in a bid to make it out of the Group B stage.

Canada is the reigning Olympic champion having won gold in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The Australia and Ireland game will kick off at 8pm at Accor Stadium in Sydney on July 27.

Meanwhile, co-hosts New Zealand will start against Norway in their Group A match at 5pm at Eden Park, Auckland on July 27.