CommBank Young Matildas Head Coach Alex Epakis has confirmed the 23-player squad that will be competing in the AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ Qualifiers this August.
Australia is due to face Tajikistan, Palestine, and Chinese Taipei in Group C, with all the matches to take place at Pamir Stadium in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. As the reigning bronze medallists from the 2024 tournament, the CommBank Young Matildas will need to finish in the top two positions of the group with the eight group winners and three best runners up advancing.
Qualification at the AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ will mean a direct pathway to the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Poland 2026™.
Head Coach Alex Epakis said that every player in the squad has earned their place, and he is excited for the challenge ahead.
"The CommBank Young Matildas squad selected for the upcoming AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ Group C Qualifiers, held in Tajikistan, showcases a group of players who have impressed throughout the 2024/25 A-League Women's season, as well as in the various National Premier Leagues competitions across the country."
"The squad features a blend of players with previous experience within the U-20 age bracket and emerging new talent, reflecting the ongoing positive work of Australia's national youth development pathways.
"While a number of players were unavailable for this August's qualifiers, we are pleased to have named a strong, well-balanced squad capable of performing across what will be a demanding schedule in Tajikistan.
"We have excellent depth and a group of exciting players who are hungry to begin our qualification campaign for the AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup Thailand 2026™.
"The squad has benefited from a recent domestic camp in July, which provided valuable time to further refine our playing style, strengthen our team culture, and build cohesion - all of which puts us in a strong position heading into the tournament.
"I'm really excited about the group we have selected and look forward to working alongside our staff to help the team of players perform at the highest level," he concluded.
The AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers will kick off on Wednesday, 6 August 2025, with Australia opening its campaign against host nation Tajikistan, before facing Palestine on 8 August and Chinese Taipei on 10 August.
