Our forwards are our most well-known players, with our captain Sam Kerr being one of the best strikers of all time and one of Australia's most iconic athletes of all time. Having recovered from her ACL, she'll be ready for anything if (or should I say, when) she's picked for the Asian Cup squad.


Continuing on with famous Matildas, Caitlin Foord and Hayley Raso still star for the national team, with Raso having scored in both of the Matildas' victories over the Football Ferns over the last international break.


But one major question everyone's asking is whether Mary Fowler will have recovered in time for the Asian Cup. The star youngster is still recovering from her ACL injury and while there were rumours of her being on track for a November return (and there are videos of her back training again at Man City), it's now December and we still have no more updates. Therefore, her selection is in doubt, because while she is extremely talented, she may not be back in time.


Now for some of the younger talents. Overseas we've got Kahli Johnson, Remy Siemsen, Kaitlyn Torpey and Cortnee Vine all fighting for spots in the Asian Cup squad. Additionally, we have some young talents at home in the A-League as well, such as Sharn Freier (who is back at Brisbane Roar on loan from Wolfsburg), Bryleeh Henry, Grace Kuilamu and Holly McNamara all already capped for the Matildas and would all be under consideration.


This tournament could also be potentially the last time we see veteran and A-League all-time leading goalscorer Michelle Heyman wearing the green and gold. The Canberra United star came out of international retirement to fill in for Sam Kerr during her ACL recovery, but now that Kerr is back chances are she may return to retirement being 37 years old.

Note: Matildas caps and goals as of 2 December 2025, age as of 1 March 2026.