A-Leagues stars Holly McNamara and Michelle Heyman have been named in Matildas Head Coach Joe Montemurro’s 26-player squad for the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
Melbourne City ace McNamara has once again lit up the Ninja A-League this season, scoring 12 goals on her way to leading the race for the Golden Boot once again.
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McNamara currently has 16 caps to her name having made her national team debut with the Matildas against Indonesia in 2022.
Meanwhile Matildas veteran and A-League great Heyman will once again pull on the Green and Gold jersey at a major tournament.
The Canberra United sharpshooter earned her spot in the squad after registering four goals and three assists this season for a Canberra side challenging at the top of the Ninja A-League.
Adding more firepower to a potent forward line that already contains the likes of Sam Kerr, Caitlin Foord and the aforementioned McNamara, 63-time Matilda Heyman will be hoping to add to her 22 goals at senior international level.
Michelle Heyman in action for Canberra United
The Matildas kick off their 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup campaign against the Philippines in Perth on March 1.
Following that clash, Montemurro’s side then take on Iran on the Gold Coast on March 5 before rounding out their group stage fixtures with a blockbuster tie with South Korea in Sydney on March 8.
Attacking midfielder Mary Fowler earns her spot in Montemurro’s squad despite playing just 15 minutes of Women’s Super League (WSL) action since returning from an ACL injury.
Mary Fowler of Australia
The 23-year-old joins the likes of Kaitlyn Torpey, Kahli Johnson, Hayley Raso and Remy Siemsen as attacking options for the Matildas as they bid to capture the coveted trophy.
Meanwhile Clare Wheeler, Amy Sayer, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Katrina Gorry make up the midfield options alongside 2025 Julie Dolan Medallist Alex Chidiac.
In defence, Montemurro opted to select Clare Hunt, Steph Catley, Alanna Kennedy, Winonah Heatley, Charlize Rule, Ellie Carpenter and Jamilla Rankin.
Mackenzie Arnold, Teagan Micah and Jada Whyman are the three goalkeepers chosen by the Matildas boss for the prestigious tournament which gets underway on home soil on March 1.
Full Matildas Squad
Goalkeepers:
Mackenzie Arnold (Portland Thorns) Teagan Micah (OL Lyoness), Jada Whyman (AIK)
Defenders:
Clare Hunt (Tottenham Hotspur), Steph Catley (Arsenal), Alanna Kennedy (London City Lionesses), Winonah Heatley (AS Roma), Charlize Rule (Brighton and Hove Albion), Courtney Nevin (Malmo FF), Ellie Carpenter (Chelsea), Jamilla Rankin (Hoffenheim)
Midfielders:
Clare Wheeler (Everton), Alex Chidiac (FC Como), Amy Sayer (Malmo FF), Kyra Cooney-Cross (Arsenal), Katrina Gorry (West Ham), Emily Van Egmond (Leicester City), Kaitlyn Torpey (Newcastle United), Kahli Johnson (Calgary Wild), Hayley Raso (Frankfurt), Mary Fowler (Man City)
Forwards:
Holly McNamara (Melbourne City), Remy Siemsen (AIK), Michelle Heyman (Canberra United), Sam Kerr – Captain (Chelsea), Caitlin Foord (Arsenal)
Match Details
Matildas v Philippines
Date: Sunday, March 1
Kick-off: 8.00pm AEDT
Venue: Perth Stadium
TV Broadcast: Network 10, Paramount+
Iran v Matildas
Date: Thursday, 5 March
Kick-off: 8.00pm AEDT
Venue: Gold Coast Stadium
TV Broadcast: Network 10, Paramount+
Matildas v South Korea
Date: Sunday, 8 April
Kick-off: 8.00pm AEST
Venue: Stadium Australia, Sydney
TV Broadcast: Network 10, Paramount+
