New Matildas Coach Joe Montemurro Expands Squad for Upcoming Matches

Joe Montemurro, who has recently taken on the role as head coach of the Matildas, is preparing for the team's future as they look ahead to the 2026 Asian Cup. In assembling a 33-player squad for upcoming matches against Slovenia and Panama, he has included a significant number of players from the A-League Women, reflecting his intention to explore new talents in the sport.

Notable players like captain Steph Catley, forward Caitlin Foord, and midfielder Katrina Gorry will not participate in the four-game series due to personal leave. Montemurro, drawing from his experiences with the domestic league through previous engagements with teams like Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City, views this period as an ideal chance to test new strategies and evaluate new players.

The squad features returning talents such as Alex Chidiac, who won the Julie Dolan medal, and striker Emily Gielnik, both of whom had been previously overlooked for national selection. Montemurro expressed that this camp serves as a crucial identification process, emphasizing the importance of providing every player with the opportunity to showcase their potential.

Player Cortnee Vine remains on leave following her notable performance during the Women's World Cup quarter-finals, while Brisbane Roar midfielder Tameka Yallop is out with a leg injury. New faces, including Roar forward Grace Kuilamu and Western United's Adriana Taranto, are being welcomed into the squad for their first call-up, with vice-captain Ellie Carpenter returning from personal leave.

Additionally, Mackenzie Arnold, Hayley Raso, and Sharn Freier are making comebacks from injuries, and midfielder Jacynta Galabadaarachchi returns to the national side for the first time since June 2022. The Matildas' schedule includes games against Slovenia on June 26 and 29, followed by matches against Panama on July 5 and 8 in Western Australia.