OVERVIEW

Matildas Head Coach Tony Gustavsson takes a squad of 18 and four travelling alternates to contest the 12-team tournament in Paris.

The squad features a combination of experienced and new Olympic campaigners who ply their trade across Australia, England, France, Sweden and the United States.

Eight players have made history with selection for their third Games including captain Steph Catley and vice captains Emily van Egmond and Ellie Carpenter. The squad also comprises eight players with over 100 appearances for Australia including the nation’s highest capped footballer, Clare Polkinghorne. At the other end of the spectrum the versatile Kaitlyn Torpey and Clare Wheeler, speedster Cortnee Vine and defender Clare Hunt are all on course to make their Games debut.

Drawn in Group B, world number 12 Australia will be based in the south of France with their three pool matches in Marseille and Nice. In the group phase the Matildas will encounter former Olympic gold medallist Germany (world number 4), the exciting Copper Queens of Zambia (world number 64) and four-time Olympic gold medallist, the United States (world number 5).

The Matildas start their campaign against Germany on Thursday, 25 July at 7.00pm (local)/ Friday, 26 July at 3.00am (AEST).

ONES TO WATCH 

Australian

Lining up for French side Olympique Lyon, the Paris Games will be somewhat of a “home” tournament for defender Ellie Carpenter. After being named in her third straight Division 1 Féminine Team of the Year and helping Lyon claim a record 17th League title, she is widely considered one of the best fullbacks in the world. Tough, intelligent, tenacious and lightning quick, the 24-year-old from Cowra, is set to be one of the key players for Australia in her third Games.

Another Matilda to feature in her third Olympics is forward Caitlin Foord. The 29-year-old from Shellharbour will be a vital cog in Australia’s attack with her ability to play in any position across the forward line. Caitlin has continued her stellar form from 2023 where the Arsenal WFC player was nominated for FIFA’s The Best award and led the goals and assists for Australia in Olympic Qualifying. Blessed with explosive pace and the game instincts to create space or play in her teammates, Caitlin will be a welcome sight for Australian fans.

Midfielder Katrina Gorry will return to the Olympic stage after an eight year absence. The 31-year-old is due for her second Games after sitting out Tokyo 2020 due to the impending birth of her daughter, Harper. Since returning to the national team, Katrina has been one of the main drivers in the Matildas engine room with her tough tackling, lung busting runs and defence splitting passes making her an impactful fan favourite.

International

Even with Germany’s history of producing world class players, forward and captain Alex Popp is a revered figure for the DFB-Frauen. Nicknamed by fans as the Popp in the Box, the 33-year-old is both dangerous in the air at set pieces and on the ground with her ability to create chaos and goals in the penalty area.

Zambian captain Barbra Banda is no stranger to performing on the Olympic stage. The forward lit up Tokyo 2020 when she scored back-to-back hat tricks against the Netherlands and China, becoming the first woman to score two hat tricks in one tournament.  Returning for her second Games, the dynamic and highly skilled Barbra is a bona fide global star who is currently the joint top goalscorer in the National Women’s Soccer League (USA).

The US Soccer Female Player of the Year in 2023, defender Naomi Girma has emerged as arguably one of the top defenders in the US league and the world. On the ball, Naomi is a strong passer and distributor.  Off the ball she is quick to get in position and thwart attackers.

SPORT FORMAT

The Women’s Football Tournament will be hotly contested at Paris 2024 with the 12 team competition boasting seven of the world’s top 10 nations -  including current world champions and world number one, Spain. Another three nations are current or former gold medallists including the United States, Germany and defending champion, Canada.

The 12 countries are divided into three groups of four, with the group phase matches kicking off before the Opening Ceremony on 26 July. Each nation will play three 90 minute fixtures, earning three points for a win, one point for a draw and no points for a loss.

After the group phase, the top two from each group will advance to the quarterfinals, along with the best two third place finishers.

In the knock-out stage teams go head-to-head for 90 minutes. The winner progresses to the semifinals. If scores are locked after regulation time, an additional two halves of 15 minutes will be played to determine a victor. In the event the match is still deadlocked after extra time, the result will be decided by a penalty shootout.

COMPETITION SCHEDULE

Germany v Australia

• Date: 25 July 2024 (local) / 26 July 2024 (AEST)
• Kick-off: 7.00pm (local) / 3.00am AEST
• Venue: Stade de Marseille, Marseille, France

Australia v Zambia

• Date: 28 July 2024 (local) / 29 July 2024 (AEST)
• Kick-off: 7.00pm (local) / 3.00am AEST
• Venue: Stade de Nice, Nice, France

Australia v United States of America

• Date: 31 July 2024 (local) / 1 August 2024 (AEST)
• Kick-off: 7.00pm (local) / 3.00am AEST
• Venue: Stade de Marseille, Marseille, France