It is a weird time to be a football fan in Australia. Honestly, the vibe is shifting. We spent years riding the high of a home World Cup, that feverish "Tillies" mania where every second person on the street was wearing a Mackenzie Arnold jersey. But now, as we hit early 2026, the Australian women's soccer team—our beloved Matildas—is stepping into a reality that feels a lot more business-like and, frankly, a bit more high-stakes.
We aren't just the "plucky underdogs" anymore. The world expects us to win.
The 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup is literally right around the corner. We’re hosting it. Again. If you’ve been following the news, you know the pressure is immense because, despite all the progress, that trophy hasn't sat in an Australian cabinet since 2010. People are starting to ask: can we actually finish the job this time?
Joe Montemurro and the New Identity
Let's talk about the man in the dugout. Joe Montemurro took over the Australian women's soccer team in mid-2025, and he’s been remarkably vocal about "elevating the squad holistically." If you watched the friendlies against New Zealand at the end of last year—those 2-0 and 5-0 wins in Adelaide—you saw a team that looks a bit different. It’s less about the "never say die" chaos and more about tactical clarity.
Montemurro comes from the high-fashion world of European football—Arsenal, Juventus, Lyon. He doesn't just want the girls to run hard; he wants them to dominate the ball. He’s been experimenting with Alanna Kennedy sitting a bit higher sometimes, or using the fullbacks to create overloads in ways Tony Gustavsson never really prioritized.
It's a gamble. Transitioning from a transition-based team to a possession-based one in the middle of a tournament cycle is bold. But hey, if you want to beat the likes of Japan or a resurgent North Korea, you kind of have to evolve.
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The Return of the Queen (and the ACL Curse)
You can't talk about the Australian women's soccer team without mentioning Sam Kerr. Her return to the starting lineup in late 2025 felt like a collective exhale for the entire country. She’s back at Chelsea, she’s scoring braces in the League Cup, and she looks like the Sam of old.
But it’s not just about her anymore.
- Mary Fowler is currently fighting her way back from an ACL injury. It’s heartbreaking, really. She’s the creative heartbeat of the team, and Manchester City is definitely feeling her absence right now.
- Kyra Cooney-Cross has become the absolute engine. The way she controls the tempo at Arsenal is world-class. Did you see that goal of the year she scored against New Zealand? Absolute rocket.
- Cortnee Vine is another one. She’s been incredibly brave lately, opening up about her mental health struggles and why she took a break from the game. Seeing her back in the North Carolina Courage lineup and the national squad is a huge win for the sport.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Rankings
There is this misconception that because the Matildas are a "global brand," they must be top five in the world. The reality? We’re currently sitting around 16th in the FIFA rankings and 3rd in Asia. That might sound low to the casual observer, but women's football is exploding in depth.
The gap between the top 20 teams is basically non-existent now. You can't just show up and expect to roll over the Philippines or South Korea. In fact, our Asian Cup group stage kicks off in March 2026 with a match against the Philippines in Perth, followed by Iran and then a massive clash against South Korea. None of those are "gimmies."
The Next Generation: Emerging Matildas
If you're worried about what happens when the "Golden Generation" (Catley, Foord, Kennedy, Kerr) eventually hangs up the boots, you should probably look at the youth ranks. Football Australia has finally put some real money into the "Emerging Matildas" program.
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In April 2026, we’re seeing the national championships for the U15 and U16 squads at the Home of the Matildas in Melbourne. These aren't just kick-abouts. These are the factories producing the next Holly McNamaras. Speaking of McNamara, she has been absolutely tearing up the A-League Women with Melbourne City lately. Four hat-tricks? That's just ridiculous.
She’s exactly the kind of player who keeps the veteran forwards on their toes.
The 2026 Roadmap
So, what does the rest of the year look like for the Australian women's soccer team?
- March 2026: The AFC Women’s Asian Cup on home soil. This is the big one. Matches are spread across Sydney, Perth, and the Gold Coast.
- April 2026: Youth development takes center stage with the Emerging Matildas Championships.
- May 2026: The A-League Women finals. Watch for players like Annalise Rasmussen and Grace Kuilamu to make a late case for national selection.
- Late 2026: Preparation for the next World Cup cycle begins in earnest.
It’s easy to get caught up in the celebrity of the team, but the actual football is what matters now. We’ve moved past the "happy to be here" phase of 2023. Under Montemurro, there’s a sense of clinical professionalism that was perhaps missing before.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you want to actually support the Australian women's soccer team beyond just posting a green and gold heart on Instagram, here is how you do it.
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First, get to an A-League Women game. The quality is genuinely high, and it’s where the next crop of stars is being forged. The average attendance is hovering around 2,000 right now—let's double that.
Second, keep an eye on the "Matildas Abroad." Most of our starting XI plays in the WSL or the NWSL. Following their club form gives you a much better idea of why someone like Clare Wheeler or Winonah Heatley deserves their spot in the national team over a "big name" who might be struggling for minutes.
Finally, manage your expectations. We are in a transitional tactical phase. There will be games where the "possession at all costs" style looks clunky. There will be mistakes at the back. But the goal is to be the best in the world by the next World Cup, and that requires some growing pains in 2026.
The journey from "national icons" to "consistent trophy winners" is the hardest jump in sports. We're right in the middle of it. It’s going to be a bumpy, brilliant ride.