Gustavsson Announces 23-Member Matildas Squad for 2023 Season End

Head Coach Tony Gustavsson has named a 23-player CommBank Matildas squad to face Canada in a two-match series later this month.

In their final internationals for 2023, Australia will take on the world number 10 at Starlight Stadium in Victoria on Friday, 1 December with kick off at 7.30pm PST (2 December at 2.30pm AEDT) before closing out the year at BC Place in Vancouver on Tuesday, 5 December with kick off at 7.00pm PST (6 December at 2.00pm AEDT).

The 23-player squad carries over significant experience from the recent Paris 2024™ Asian Qualifiers with 20 members of that squad retained.

After featuring as a train-on-player last camp, Brighton & Hove Albion's Charlize Rule has earned a full call-up, while defender Aivi Luik has recovered from injury to assist BK Häcken to second in the Swedish League. Fresh off a hat trick last weekend, A-League Women's Golden Boot leader Holly McNamara rounds out the new faces as the 20-year-old returns to the national team for her first call-up since April 2023.

Gustavsson noted that the upcoming internationals will see Australia balancing preparations for February 2024's Olympic Qualifiers against Uzbekistan with a deepening progression of playing style.

"We know plenty about Canada with some fierce battles over the past 18 months," Gustavsson said. "These final 180 minutes of the year against a nation that has already qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are the type of preparation matches that are invaluable for the players."

"Our selected squad continues to meld established performers with some new players that have impressed in their league form recently.

"The two matches will allow us to continue evolving our play heading into the final phase of Olympic Qualification and beyond against a challenging opponent. It is critical to our continued growth as a team and for the players to test ourselves against quality nations."

The CommBank Matildas' final internationals of 2023 will be available in Australia live and free on Network 10 and live on Paramount+.

COMMBANK MATILDAS | NOV/DEC 2023 INTERNATIONALS

Canada v CommBank Matildas

Date: Friday, 1 December 2023 (local) / Saturday, 2 December (AEDT)

Kick-off: 7.30pm PST (local) / 2.30pm (AEDT)

Venue: Starlight Stadium, Langford, BC

Broadcast: Network 10 and Paramount+

Canada v CommBank Matildas

Date: Tuesday, 5 December 2023 (local) / Wednesday, 6 December (AEDT)

Kick-off: 7.00pm PST (local) / 2.00pm (AEDT)

Venue: BC Place, Vancouver, BC

Broadcast: Network 10 and Paramount+

COMMBANK MATILDAS | SQUAD | NOV/DEC FIFA INTERNATIONAL WINDOW

NAME POSITIONCLUB CAPS (GOALS)JUNIOR CLUB /

MEMBER FEDERATION

Mackenzie ARNOLDGoalkeeperWest Ham United FC44 (0)Burleigh Heads SC / Football Queensland 
Ellie CARPENTERBackOlympique Lyon71 (4)Cowra and District JSC / Football New South Wales
Steph CATLEY (VC)BackArsenal WFC120 (5)East Bentleigh, SE Cougars / Football Victoria 
Kyra COONEY-CROSSMidfielderArsenal WFC38 (0)Bli Bli United FC / Football Queensland
Caitlin FOORDForwardArsenal WFC118 (33)Warilla Wanderers / Football New South Wales 
Mary FOWLERMidfielderManchester City WFC46 (13) Leichhardt FC / Football Queensland 
Katrina GORRYMidfielderUnattached103 (17) Mount Gravatt Hawks FC / Football Queensland
Charlotte GRANTBackUnattached21 (1) Cumberland United Women's FC / Football South Australia 
Clare HUNTBackParis Saint-Germain FC15 (0)Grenfell Junior Soccer Club / Football New South Wales
Alanna KENNEDYBackManchester City WFC117 (9)Campbelltown Cobras SC / Football New South Wales
Sam KERR (C)ForwardChelsea WFC128 (69) Western Knights SC / Football West 
Aivi LUIKBackBK Häcken43 (1)Palm Beach SC / Football Queensland
Holly McNAMARAForwardMelbourne City FC3 (0)Ermington United Sports and Recreation Club / Football NSW
Teagan MICAHGoalkeeperLiverpool WFC15 (0)Brisbane Blue, Brisbane Central / Football Queensland
Courtney NEVINBackLeicester City WFC26 (0)Oakville Ravens SC / Football New South Wales
Clare POLKINGHORNEBackVittsjö GIK164 (16)Wynnum Wolves, Capalaba Bulldogs / Football Queensland 
Hayley RASOForwardReal Madrid Femenino80 (15)Palm Beach SC / Football Queensland
Charlize RULEForwardBrighton & Hove Albion FC0 (0)Queens Park FC / Football New South Wales
Amy SAYERMidfielderKristianstads DFF9 (0)Northbridge FC / Football New South Wales
Emily VAN EGMONDMidfielderSan Diego Wave FC137 (31)Dudley Redhead United FC / Northern NSW Football
Clare WHEELERMidfielderEverton WFC17 (1)Adamstown Rosebud / Northern NSW Football
Lydia WILLIAMSGoalkeeperMelbourne Victory FC103 (0)Tuggeranong, Woden Valley / Capital Football  
Tameka YALLOPMidfielderBrisbane Roar FC117 (13)Mudgeeraba SC / Football Queensland
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