Know your team: Australia
Kuala Lumpur: Host Australia headline a cast of 12 teams going into the draw for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ that will take place on July 29.
Champions in 2010, Australia have a long storied history with the competition - starting with their participation as guests in the inaugural edition played in Hong Kong, China in 1975.The Matildas - who reached the semi-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 which Australia co-hosted with New Zealand - will be among the favourites, especially with the backing of their passionate fans.
Factfile
FIFA World Ranking: 15
Head Coach: Joe Montemurro (AUS)
How they got there: Hosts
Previous appearances: 8
Best placing: Champions (2010)
2022 result: Quarter Finals
Fun fact: Australia's quarter final defeat in 2022 was the earliest exit suffered by the Matildas since 2006
Australia’s association with the competition began while they were still part of the Oceania Football Confederation - achieving semi final finishes in 1975 and 1980.
It was 26 years before they returned to the competition, this time as part of Asian Football Confederation when they hosted the tournament in 2006 in Adelaide where they finished runners-up to China PR following a penalty shootout.
Fourth in the 2008 edition in Vietnam, Australia etched their names in the history books with a triumphant campaign in Chengdu in 2010.
Despite a defeat against Korea Republic, victories over Vietnam and China PR saw them advancing to the knockout stage as the Group B runners-up.
Australia bested Japan 1-0 in the semi finals to set up a title showdown with DPR Korea - which witnessed a 16-year-old Sam Kerr opening the score in a tie that ended 1-1, with the Matildas emerging champions with a 5-4 win on penalties.
Australia fell just short in the next two editions - losing 1-0 to Japan in the 2014 and 2018 finals while their 2022 campaign was ended in the quarter finals by Korea Republic.
They will head into the 2026 Finals with a blend of experienced and rising stars, with former Lyon, Arsenal and Juventus tactician Joe Montemurro appointed head coach recently.
While still in the early days of his tenure, the 55-year-old tactician has already started making changes - giving opportunities to emerging talents like goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln, defender Alexia Apostolakis and forward Grace Kuilamu to shine in friendly matches.
The core of the squad, however, are the players who took Australia to the semi finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and the fitness of Chelsea’s Kerr - who has been out of action for several months following an anterior cruciate ligament injury - is something the fans will be hoping is resolved before the first kick of the ball.
Montemurro, however, has a wealth of talent at his disposal with the likes of Arsenal’s UEFA Champions League 2024/25 winning trio Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross and Manchester City’s Mary Fowler among the other stalwarts in the squad.
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