It's finally here!
With the Asian Cup coming in less than a month's time, that means it's now time to decide who makes the final 26-player squad for the tournament, which will be hosted right here in Australia across three cities: the Gold Coast, Perth and Sydney!
Reserves
While Alanna Kennedy (pictured) is a Matildas legend with 142 caps and has valuable experience, her age, national team form and lack of starting minutes for her club London City, as well as our depth in defence and midfield, has led me to place her as a reserve. Image source: Instagram (@alannakennedy).
I've included five reserves, just in case we have injuries. For a reserve keeper I've put Brisbane Roar's Chloe Lincoln, for two reserve defender Newcastle United's Kaitlyn Torpey, for a reserve midfielder London City's Alanna Kennedy, and for a reserve striker Calgary Wild's Kahli Johnson.
Goalkeepers
Teagan Micah (pictured) has rightfully solidified her spot as the Matildas' number one keeper. While she is still only a backup at her club Lyon, she's been excellent in her appearances. Image source: Instagram (@matildas).
We need at least three goalkeepers ahead of the Asian Cup. Now usually this would be an easy choice: Portland Thorns' Mackenzie Arnold, Lyon's Teagan Micah and AIK Stockholm's Jada Whyman. However, the latter is currently still injured, and therefore we need a backup, so assuming Jada is still injured and I've picked reigning A-League Women Golden Glove winner Courtney Newbon from Melbourne Victory as the third goalie. As for order of choice, it should be Teags first, Macca second and Court third.
Defenders
Chelsea's Ellie Carpenter (pictured) is widely regarded as one of the world's best defenders in the women's game, and has been a Matilda since she was 15, and is still only 25. During her time at Lyon, she won two Champions League titles. Image source: Instagram (@elliecarpenter).
We've got a fair bit of defensive depth so this was a hard choice. For full backs, I went with Chelsea's Ellie Carpenter, Tottenham's Charli Grant, Malmö's Courtney Nevin and Hoffenheim's Jamilla Rankin. For centre backs, I've chosen Arsenal's Steph Catley, Roma's Wini Heatley, Tottenham's Clare Hunt, Sassuolo's Jess Nash and Brighton's Charlize Rule.
Midfielders
Daniela Galić (pictured) has been in incredible form for Vittsjö since signing for them midseason in 2025. The 19-year-old attacking midfielder could be an important asset for the Matildas as we look to win our first Asian Cup since 2010. Image source: Instagram (@obosdamallsvenskan, @vittsjogikofcl and @danielagalic).
Once again, a hard choice, but I've gone with Como's Alex Chidiac, Arsenal's Kyra Cooney-Cross, Vittsjö's Daniela Galić, West Ham's captain Katrina Gorry, Malmö's Amy Sayer and Everton's Clare Wheeler. While it's less depth than the other positions, I think it's a good mix of attacking, central and defensive midfielders. For example, a more defensive approach could see Kyra and Wheels in midfield, while a more attacking approach could see Amy and Dani take their place.
Forwards
Central Coast Mariners' wonderkid Annalise Rasmussen (pictured), who was closely challenging Melbourne City's Holly McNamara in the Golden Boot race, recently moved to Italy and signed for Juventus for a Mariners club record fee. She is yet to debut for the senior Matildas team, but could this be her chance? Image source: Instagram (@aleagues, @dubzone and @eeshferguson).
For forwards (which includes wingers), I've included Arsenal's Caitlin Foord, Man City's Mary Fowler, Chelsea's Sam Kerr (the Matildas' captain), Melbourne City's Holly McNamara, Juventus' Annalise Rasmussen, Eintracht Frankfurt's Hayley Raso, Rosengård's Remy Siemsen and North Carolina Courage's Cortnee Vine.
Final squad list
Conclusion
And that concludes my squad for the Asian Cup! What do you guys think? What would you change? Could this squad win the Asian Cup? Let me know in the comments!
GO TILLIES!!!
With the Asian Cup coming in less than a month's time, that means it's now time to decide who makes the final 26-player squad for the tournament, which will be hosted right here in Australia across three cities: the Gold Coast, Perth and Sydney!
Reserves
While Alanna Kennedy (pictured) is a Matildas legend with 142 caps and has valuable experience, her age, national team form and lack of starting minutes for her club London City, as well as our depth in defence and midfield, has led me to place her as a reserve. Image source: Instagram (@alannakennedy).
I've included five reserves, just in case we have injuries. For a reserve keeper I've put Brisbane Roar's Chloe Lincoln, for two reserve defender Newcastle United's Kaitlyn Torpey, for a reserve midfielder London City's Alanna Kennedy, and for a reserve striker Calgary Wild's Kahli Johnson.
Goalkeepers
Teagan Micah (pictured) has rightfully solidified her spot as the Matildas' number one keeper. While she is still only a backup at her club Lyon, she's been excellent in her appearances. Image source: Instagram (@matildas).
We need at least three goalkeepers ahead of the Asian Cup. Now usually this would be an easy choice: Portland Thorns' Mackenzie Arnold, Lyon's Teagan Micah and AIK Stockholm's Jada Whyman. However, the latter is currently still injured, and therefore we need a backup, so assuming Jada is still injured and I've picked reigning A-League Women Golden Glove winner Courtney Newbon from Melbourne Victory as the third goalie. As for order of choice, it should be Teags first, Macca second and Court third.
Defenders
Chelsea's Ellie Carpenter (pictured) is widely regarded as one of the world's best defenders in the women's game, and has been a Matilda since she was 15, and is still only 25. During her time at Lyon, she won two Champions League titles. Image source: Instagram (@elliecarpenter).
We've got a fair bit of defensive depth so this was a hard choice. For full backs, I went with Chelsea's Ellie Carpenter, Tottenham's Charli Grant, Malmö's Courtney Nevin and Hoffenheim's Jamilla Rankin. For centre backs, I've chosen Arsenal's Steph Catley, Roma's Wini Heatley, Tottenham's Clare Hunt, Sassuolo's Jess Nash and Brighton's Charlize Rule.
Midfielders
Daniela Galić (pictured) has been in incredible form for Vittsjö since signing for them midseason in 2025. The 19-year-old attacking midfielder could be an important asset for the Matildas as we look to win our first Asian Cup since 2010. Image source: Instagram (@obosdamallsvenskan, @vittsjogikofcl and @danielagalic).
Once again, a hard choice, but I've gone with Como's Alex Chidiac, Arsenal's Kyra Cooney-Cross, Vittsjö's Daniela Galić, West Ham's captain Katrina Gorry, Malmö's Amy Sayer and Everton's Clare Wheeler. While it's less depth than the other positions, I think it's a good mix of attacking, central and defensive midfielders. For example, a more defensive approach could see Kyra and Wheels in midfield, while a more attacking approach could see Amy and Dani take their place.
Forwards
Central Coast Mariners' wonderkid Annalise Rasmussen (pictured), who was closely challenging Melbourne City's Holly McNamara in the Golden Boot race, recently moved to Italy and signed for Juventus for a Mariners club record fee. She is yet to debut for the senior Matildas team, but could this be her chance? Image source: Instagram (@aleagues, @dubzone and @eeshferguson).
For forwards (which includes wingers), I've included Arsenal's Caitlin Foord, Man City's Mary Fowler, Chelsea's Sam Kerr (the Matildas' captain), Melbourne City's Holly McNamara, Juventus' Annalise Rasmussen, Eintracht Frankfurt's Hayley Raso, Rosengård's Remy Siemsen and North Carolina Courage's Cortnee Vine.
Final squad list
| Position | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| Reserve goalkeeper | LINCOLN, Chloe | Brisbane Roar |
| Reserve defender | TORPEY, Kaitlyn | Newcastle United |
| Reserve midfielder | KENNEDY, Alanna | London City Lionesses |
| Reserve forward | JOHNSON, Kahli | Calgary Wild |
| Goalkeeper | ARNOLD, Mackenzie | Portland Thorns |
| Goalkeeper | MICAH, Teagan | OL Lyonnes |
| Goalkeeper | NEWBON, Courtney | Melbourne Victory |
| Defender | CARPENTER, Ellie | Chelsea |
| Defender | CATLEY, Steph | Arsenal |
| Defender | GRANT, Charli | Tottenham Hotspur |
| Defender | HEATLEY, Wini | Roma |
| Defender | HUNT, Clare | Tottenham Hotspur |
| Defender | NASH, Jess | Sassuolo |
| Defender | NEVIN, Courtney | Malmö FF |
| Defender | RANKIN, Jamilla | TSG Hoffenheim |
| Defender | RULE, Charlize | Brighton & Hove Albion |
| Midfielder | CHIDIAC, Alex | FC Como |
| Midfielder | COONEY-CROSS, Kyra | Arsenal |
| Midfielder | GALIĆ, Daniela | Vittsjö GIK |
| Midfielder | SAYER, Amy | Malmö FF |
| Midfielder | WHEELER, Clare | Everton |
| Forward | FOORD, Caitlin | Arsenal |
| Forward | FOWLER, Mary | Manchester City |
| Forward | KERR, Sam | Chelsea |
| Forward | MCNAMARA, Holly | Melbourne City |
| Forward | RASMUSSEN, Annalise | Juventus |
| Forward | RASO, Hayley | Eintracht Frankfurt |
| Forward | SIEMSEN, Remy | FC Rosengård |
| Forward | VINE, Cortnee | North Carolina Courage |
Conclusion
And that concludes my squad for the Asian Cup! What do you guys think? What would you change? Could this squad win the Asian Cup? Let me know in the comments!
GO TILLIES!!!
