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Who’s who for Matildas as Paris Games loom

Who’s who for Matildas as Paris Games loom

The Matildas’ epic 2023 World Cup run established a new benchmark for the women’s national football side – now nothing less than an Olympic Games medal will suffice.

Australia comfortably booked a place at July’s Paris Games, adding to a legacy that is now set in stone with a statue at the scene of one of their greatest triumphs.

Star striker Sam Kerr’s ACL injury, plus a scare with Katrina Gorry in March, meant they faced a race against time to make the squad, though Gorry ultimately won a spot in the 18-player squad.

A day after a 2-0 friendly win over China, coach Tony Gustavsson in June announced his roster, months after the growth of the A-League was called into question by Cortnee Vine.

In a sign of how serious they were taking the competition, the Matildas sourced an outside expert to scout on rivals.

In March 2024 it was announced Australia’s Olympic sports will be part of a fund-raising revolution, while in May swimmer Cate Campbell hailed the influence of the Matildas as eyes were cast ahead to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.

Everything you need to know about the Matildas below >>>

Jump to: Full draws | Squad lists | Games history | Fast facts

POOLS

GROUP A: France, Colombia, Canada, New Zealand

GROUP B: USA, Zambia, Germany, Australia

GROUP C: Spain, Japan, CAF 1, Brazil

The Aussie women’s team, which is expected to undergo a generational change in the coming years, avoided landing in a group with host nation France and World No.1 Spain.

They will have to face off against powerhouses USA and Germany.

While past results, including the 4-3 loss to USA at the Tokyo Olympics, make this pool look tough – recent outcomes make Spain and France much tougher competition for the Aussie women.

And avoiding Spain, the reigning world champions, in the group stage is obviously a massive win.

While USA and Germany are both ranked considerably higher than Australia in the world rankings, both team’s failed to shine in last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup – where the Matildas finished a respectable fourth.

Zambia beat Morocco to round out Australia’s group, who had a final hit-out in a friendly against China in June.

WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE?

July 25: Germany v Australia in Marseille

July 28: Aus v Zambia in Nice

July 31: Aus v USA in Marseille

The nations that have qualified for women’s football are: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, United States, Zambia and Nigeria.

WHAT IS THE MATILDAS’ SQUAD?

The full squad was confirmed in June.

In March 2024 coach Tony Gustavsson admitted “some very good players” will be overlooked for the Olympic squad, as the Matildas brace for a changing of the guard, with several new faces emerging.

Veteran Michelle Heyman even spoke of how the squad is now being supported in multiple ways.

Mackenzie Arnold

Age: 30

Position: Goalkeeper

Club: West Ham United FC

Appearances: 44

Goals: 0

Previous Clubs: Burleigh Heads SC / Football Queensland

Arnold grilled by nine-year-old

Arnold confirmed to depart West Ham

Ellie Carpenter (vc)

Age: 24

Position: Back

Club: Olympique Lyon

Appearances: 72

Goals: 4

Previous Clubs: Cowra and District JSC / Football New South Wales

Epic reaction to goal goes viral

Steph Catley (c)

Age: 30

Position: Back

Club: Arsenal WFC

Appearances: 121

Goals: 5

Previous Clubs: East Bentleigh, SE Cougars / Football Victoria

Catley’s ultimate hometown honour

Star stresses ‘precious’ value of final pre-Paris hit out

Kyra Cooney-Cross

Age: 22

Position: Midfielder

Club: Arsenal WFC

Appearances: 40

Goals: 0

Previous Clubs: Bli Bli United FC / Football Queensland

Cooney-Cross earns Aussie honour

One major change set to drive Matildas

Caitlin Foord

Age: 29

Position: Forward

Club: Arsenal WFC

Appearances: 119

Goals: 33

Previous Clubs: Warilla Wanderers / Football New South Wales 

Caitlin Foord opens up on all-star Aussie showing

How Caitlin Foord emerged from reserve to become a star

Mary Fowler

Age: 21

Position: Midfielder

Club: Manchester City WFC

Appearances: 48

Goals: 13

Previous Clubs: Leichhardt FC / Football Queensland 

Fowler goals sparks ticket frenzy

Fowler and Cleary go Insta official

Meet the new era of bankable Matildas

Katrina Gorry

Age: 31

Position: Midfielder

Club: West Ham United FC

Appearances: 105

Goals: 17

Previous Clubs: Mount Gravatt Hawks FC / Football Queensland

Matildas star Katrina Gorry’s solo IVF journey

Gorry’s injury shock sends scare

Michelle Heyman

Age: 35

Position: Forward

Club: Canberra United FC

Appearances: 61

Goals: 20

Previous Clubs: Illawarra Stingrays / Football NSW

Heyman determined to deliver

A decade’s worth of wages in one year for Paris-bound Heyman

Clare Hunt

Age: 25

Position: Back

Club: Paris Saint-Germain FC

Appearances: 16

Goals: 0

Previous Clubs: Grenfell Junior Soccer Club / Football New South Wales

Matilda’s coach reveals secrets to success

Meet the Matilda who did it her way

Alanna Kennedy

Age: 29

Position: Back

Club: Manchester City WFC

Appearances: 119

Goals: 9

Previous Clubs: Campbelltown Cobras SC / Football New South Wales

Why Matildas mania is sweeping Australia again

Teagan Micah

Age: 26

Position: Goalkeeper

Club: Liverpool WFC

Appearances: 15

Goals: 0

Previous Clubs: Brisbane Blue, Brisbane Central / Football Queensland

How Micah landed big European deal

Micah opens up on concussion struggles

Clare Polkinghorne

Age: 35

Position: Back

Club: Kristianstads DFF

Appearances: 165

Goals: 16

Previous Clubs: Wynnum Wolves, Capalaba Bulldogs / Football Queensland 

Polkinghorne wins recall

Hayley Raso

Age: 29

Position: Forward

Club: Real Madrid Femenino

Appearances: 82

Goals: 15

Previous Clubs: Palm Beach SC / Football Queensland

Secret meaning behind Raso tattoo

Kaitlyn Torpey

Age: 24

Position: Back

Club: San Diego Wave FC

Appearances: 0

Goals: 0

Previous Clubs: Olympic FC / Football Queensland

Torpey’s all-star showing before Games

Emily van Egmond (vc)

Age: 30

Position: Midfielder

Club: San Diego Wave FC

Appearances: 139

Goals: 31

Previous Clubs: Dudley Redhead United FC / Northern NSW Football

van Egmond’s Olympic hopes

Cortnee Vine

Age: 26

Position: Forward

Club: Sydney FC

Appearances: 26

Goals: 3

Previous Clubs: Peninsula Power FC / Football Queensland

Why Matildas mania is sweeping Australia again

Vine calls out A-League over growth

Clare Wheeler

Age: 26

Position: Midfielder

Club: Everton WFC

Appearances: 18

Goals: 1

Previous Clubs: Adamstown Rosebud / Northern NSW Football

Rise and rise of Clare Wheeler

Tameka Yallop

Age: 32

Position: Midfielder

Club: Brisbane Roar FC

Appearances: 119

Goals: 13

Previous Clubs: Mudgeeraba SC / Football Queensland

Yallop’s three-month hurdle for Games

WHAT IS THE PERFORMANCE HISTORY AT THE GAMES?

The Matildas first appeared at the Olympic Games at Sydney 2000, automatically qualifying as the host nation.

In their first match they lost 3-0 to Germany, who went on to secure bronze.

They then drew 1-1 with Sweden before losing 2-1 to Brazil, finishing bottom of their group.

Australia again qualified in 2004, finishing third in their pool to qualify for the quarter-finals, losing 2-1 to Sweden.

After reaching the Games for the first time in 12 years at Rio 2016, the Matildas finished third in their pool to again reach the final eight.

This time they suffered penalty shootout heartbreak, losing 7-6 to Brazil after it finished 0-0 at full-time.

In 2020 Australia sneaked into the quarters by again finishing third in their pool.

A 4-3 victory over Great Britain was followed by a 1-0 semi-final defeat to Sweden.

OLYMPIC FAST FACTS

When are the 2024 Paris Games on?

Friday, July 26 to Sunday, August 11, 2024

How many times has Paris hosted the Olympics?

Paris (1900, 1924 and 2024) will become the second city, after London (1908, 1948 and 2012) to host the summer Olympics three times.

How much are tickets for Paris 2024 Olympics?

Full details can be found here.

Where can I watch the Paris Olympics in Australia?

Channel 9 won the hosting right for the 2024 Paris Games after Channel 7 had previously had rights for decades.

Stan Sport will also offer most of the Olympics in 4K UHD for the first time in Australian history.

Both Stan Sport and Channel 9 will provide every minute of every event.

What is the time difference between Paris and Australia?

Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Hobart and Melbourne are 8 hours ahead of Paris.

Adelaide is 7.5 hours ahead.

Perth is 6 hours ahead.

Darwin is 7.5 hours ahead.