The Australia women’s team is the first to release the official squad list of players participating in the Paris 2024 Olympics football tournament. The Matildas published their 18-member squad on Tuesday, along with the list of four players named as reserves.
The Oceania side will obviously be without their record all-time top scorer, Sam Kerr, who is nursing an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sustained earlier this year. The Chelsea Women’s FC forward, who has scored 69 goals in 128 caps, will be a big miss for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics semifinalists in France.
However, the selection boasts much experience, with all-time appearance maker Clare Polkinghorne set to feature in her third Olympics tournament. Additionally, captain Steph Catley, vice-captain Emily Van Egmond, Mackenzie Arnold, Ellie Carpenter, Caitlin Foord, Alanna Kennedy, and Tameka Yallop will also grace the competition for the third time.
Tony Gustavsson also called up Clare Hunt, Kaitlyn Torpey, Cortnee Vine, and Clare Wheeler, all looking to make their maiden appearance in the quadrennial showpiece.
The Swede has admitted that the selection process took years, and he believes the players he has summoned have the ability to deliver positive results in France.
“This has been an incredibly challenging squad to select, with so many quality players competing fiercely for limited spots,” Gustavsson said. “It has been a methodical process over the past couple of years to reach this point, and each of the players selected brings unique and beneficial qualities to our team that will be vital for our Paris 2024 campaign.”
The Matildas will kick off their campaign in Group B against Germany on the 25th of July in Marseille before hosting Zambia three days later in Nice. Their group stage will be capped off with a tough test against four-time Olympic gold medalists, the United States, on July 31.
Australia’s Full Squad
GOALKEEPERS
Mackenzie Arnold (West Ham, England)
Teagan Micah (Liverpool, England)
DEFENDERS
Steph Catley (captain) (Arsenal, England)
Ellie Carpenter (v. captain) (Lyon, France)
Clare Hunt (Paris SG., France)
Alanna Kennedy (Man City, England)
Clare Polkinghorne (Kristianstads, Sweden)
Kaitlyn Torpey (San Diego Wave, USA)
MIDFIELDERS
Kyra Cooney-Cross (Arsenal, England)
Katrina Gorry (West Ham, England)
Cortnee Vine (Sydney FC, Australia)
Clare Wheeler (Everton, England)
Tameka Yallop (Brisbane Roar, Australia)
Caitlin Foord (Arsenal, England)
Mary Fowler (Man City, England)
Hayley Raso (Real Madrid, Spain)
Emily van Egmond (San Diego Wave, USA)
FORWARD
Michelle Heyman (Canberra United, Australia)
RESERVES
Lydia Williams (GK) (Melbourne Victory, Australia)
Sharn Freirer (Brisbane Roar, Australia)
Charlotte Grant (Tottenham, England)
Courtney Nevin (Leicester City, England)
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