The Matildas captured the hearts and minds of the nation as Australia co-hosted the 2023 Women’s World Cup. But it has been anything but smooth sailing for the national team since then.
With a second showpiece tournament on home soil in less than three years beginning on Sunday when the Matildas meet the Philippines in Perth, here are the highs and many lows that the hosts have navigated on their path to the Women’s Asian Cup.
2023
JulyWomen’s World Cup euphoria
The 2023 Women’s World Cup at home marked the beginning of a new era for the Matildas. Not even the unexpected absence of Sam Kerr in the group stage could dampen the festivities across the country as Australians realised the significance of the moment unfolding before them. It started with stand-in captain Steph Catley slotting a penalty against Ireland and ended with an exhausted side falling to superior Sweden in the third-place play-off. But it will always be remembered for the longest penalty shootout in World Cup history. Cue Matildas mania.
OctoberOlympic qualifying success
The first test in the World Cup afterglow was the Olympic qualifying series in Perth, which the Matildas passed with flying colours in more ways than one. There were worrying signs as a second tier of players were handed an opportunity against Iran and Taiwan, and some phenomenal football when the stars were brought back into the lineup against the Philippines. A ticket to Paris was secured and Australia showed it was still on board, packing out Optus Stadium and HBF Park. The momentum continued.
2024
JanuarySam Kerr injures her ACL
Disbelief was quickly replaced by deep concern when news came from Morocco that Kerr had torn an anterior cruciate ligament at a Chelsea training camp. The timelines were calculated, the potential replacements analysed. The Matildas captain would not be fit for the Olympics. At least she would be back well before the 2026 Asian Cup. But little did we know how drawn out Kerr’s recovery would be.
MarchKerr faces court in England
Things went from bad to worse for Kerr when news broke that she had been charged with racially aggravated harassment of a London police officer after a dispute in a taxi in 2023. Kerr may have known it was coming, but no one else did, including Football Australia. As the face of the Matildas – and one of the game’s most marketable footballers – it was uncertain how Kerr or the national team would be affected.
JuneParis Olympics disaster
Despite missing Kerr, the Matildas carried Australian hopes of bettering their fourth-place World Cup finish to the Paris Games and proving they could keep up with the best. How quickly it unravelled. One win in the group stage – a frantic last-minute comeback against Zambia – was bookended by thudding defeats to Germany and the USA. It was the last straw for coach Tony Gustavsson’s tumultuous reign and a clear sign fresh ideas were needed.
2025
FebruaryKerr not guilty amid SheBelieves Cup shocker
The good news for the Matildas and Australian football was that Kerr was found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer.But FA stopped short of endorsing Kerr to return as team captain, while Catley continued to wear the armband in the SheBelieves Cup. A humiliating defeat to Japan in the round robin opener was a wake-up call. Further losses to the United States and Colombia added to clear signs that interim coach Tom Sermanni could only take the Matildas so far. The search for a long-term replacement dragged on and on.
AprilMary Fowler injures ACL
The breakout star of the Women’s World Cup was the link between the “golden generation” and the next wave of Matildas hoping to make the most of another shot at silverware on home soil. A goal against South Korea was a reminder of Fowler’s class and importance to the side. Six days later, she ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament while playing with Manchester City. The dreaded knee injury ruled out Fowler for the rest of the year, and left the then 22-year with a short runway to be fit for the Asian Cup.
JuneJoe Montemurro named coach
Catley conceded that the Matildas players felt like they were “in limbo” as FA dragged its heels on appointing a permanent coach. The 10-month wait finally came to a close with the surprise-to-no-one announcement that Joe Montemurro would lead the side into the Asian Cup and through to the 2028 Olympics. FA got their man – a highly-credentialled, Australia-born coach – but Montemurro would have to work his magic without the luxury of extended time to prepare for the continental showpiece on home soil. The Matildas celebrated Sermanni’s farewell in style with a convincing win in a friendly again Argentina.
June-OctoberMontemurro era begins with mixed results
The Montemurro era got off to a winning start with a victory over Slovenia but mixed results were to follow. The Matildas were outmuscled by Panama in a surprise defeat before it took a Charli Grant stoppage time goal to beat the same side. Kerr returned to the side – as captain – as Caitlin Foord stunned Wales with a late winner, but the size of the task facing the new coach was soon laid bare in a chastening defeat to England.
NovemberFowler reveals mental health struggles and makes racism claims
The then 22-year-old attacker stepped out of the spotlight as she continued her recovery from an ACL. But that changed as she released a memoir that revealed the extent of her depression when she first moved to Europe at age 17. Fowler wrote in her book that she struggled with financial pressures and mounting expectations after she arrived in France and lacked family support. The most explosive revelations were still to come, as Fowler claimed she experienced racism while at Montpellier in 2022, when she claimed she was given bananas at the end of her final season – an allegation rejected by the French club.
November-DecemberMatildas sign off difficult year on high
A challenging period came to a close with renewed hopes for a brighter future as the Matildas swept aside New Zealand twice on home turf. Stalwarts Hayley Raso, Ellie Carpenter and and Katrina Gorry were among those to score against their trans-Tasman rivals, while Amy Sayer staked a claim for a regular starting spot. In perhaps the biggest boost to the Matildas’ confidence, and likely Asian Cup ticket sales too, Kerr made her first start on home soil for 763 days.
2026
MarchWomen’s Asian Cup
So, here we are. Another home tournament, this time continental. The mania has fizzled. But is it dead, or just dormant? The Matildas have had just nine months to settle in with Montemurro but begin the Asian Cup in a promising position after a few years of uncertainty, upheaval and off-field distractions. Will the golden generation finally get their hands on silverware? They will first have to navigate a tough group including the Philippines, Iran and South Korea – the side that knocked them out in the last eight four years ago.
