The CommBank Matildas will take on Malawi for the first time in a senior international game when they meet in the FIFA Series 2026™ on Saturday night (AEST).
The 'Scorchers' come into the tournament off the back of the 2025 COSAFA Women's Championship that was contested in February 2026.
Read our preview of the action below.
Our Opponents
FIFA World Ranking: 153
Malawi will be without their key attackers, the Chawinga sisters, Tabitha and Temwa, for this game. Temwa is just returning from injury for the Kansas City Current in the NWSL, and Tabitha is not included in the squad for the upcoming series.
Their omissions give the chance for youngster Faith Chinzimu to impress. The forward is currently playing for BK Häcken in Sweden, and helped her side qualify for the inaugural UEFA Women's Europa Cup final.
Rose Kadzere is another player in the Malawi squad playing abroad, signing with the French club, Montpellier HSC, in 2024, and like Chinzimu, is another young player in the squad looking to gain experience ahead of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations in July.
The team qualified for their first major tournament in the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, which will kick off in July, and will act as a qualification for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™.
What To Expect
Looking ahead to next year's FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™, head coach Joe Montemurro has talked about how vital it is for the team to face different challenges against different countries, and learn how to face their opponents the team might not know much about.
This will be the first time Australia takes on an African country since it met Zambia at the 2024 Olympic Games, which fans will remember, with a nail-biting second-half comeback to defeat the side 6-5 in a pulsating match.
Malawi have a high-energy style of play, and has a mix of experienced veterans in their squad and some youngsters looking to solidify their spot ahead of their first major tournament in July.
CommBank Matildas v Malawi
Date: Saturday 11 April 2026
Kick-off: 2.00pm local/9.00pm AEST
Venue: Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi
TV Broadcast: Paramount+
Get Tickets