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
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
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.
