US EditionSam Kerr is back to captain Australia for her fifth Women's Asian Cup
Coach Joe Montemurro recalled Mary Fowler despite limited playtime after ACL surgery as Sam Kerr leads the 23-player Matildas squad in the home-hosted Asian Cup.
- On Thursday, Matildas coach Joe Montemurro named a 26-strong squad including Sam Kerr as captain and Mary Fowler despite fitness risks for the Asian Cup next month.
- Fowler returns after managing just 15 minutes of match time since her April knee reconstruction following an ACL rupture with Manchester City, and Montemurro decided to take a chance on her fitness.
- The squad mixes veterans and newcomers, with Steph Catley and Ellie Carpenter as vice-captains and eight first-time Asian Cup players including Winonah Heatley and Jamilla Rankin.
- Australia open the tournament on March 1 in Perth against the Philippines, with group games versus Iran at the Gold Coast on March 5 and South Korea in Sydney on March 8; matches end with a final at Sydney's Olympic Stadium on March 21.
- Montemurro warned the team would not take hosting lightly, saying the Matildas are `ready, focused and determined` as the Asian Cup and next year's World Cup in Brazil could be among their last major tournaments.
21 Articles
21 Articles
‘Ready to go’: No coach concerns on Matildas superstar duo
Matildas coach Joe Montemurro is confident their two biggest stars in Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler can positively impact their Women’s Asian Cup campaign despite twin returns from torn ACLs over the past year.
Associated Press News
Sam Kerr is back to captain Australia for her fifth Women's Asian Cup
Sam Kerr will captain Australia in her fifth Women’s Asian Cup and Matildas coach Joe Montemurro has decided to take a chance on Mary Fowler’s fitness by naming her in his squad for the Australia-hosted regional soccer tournament beginning in 10 days.
CommBank Matildas Open Training - Sam Kerr Football Centre, Perth
CommBank Matildas Open Training - Sam Kerr Football Centre, Perth Julia.Woods@fo… Fri, 02/20/2026 - 11:18 Ahead of us kicking off our AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ campaign in Perth, we are holding an Open Training Session & Jersey presentation in Perth at the Sam Kerr Football Centre, on Wednesday, 25 February.The event gives the opportunity for fans to watch members of the CommBank Matildas go through their paces ahead of the tournamen…
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