As the CommBank Matildas prepare to kick off their AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ campaign on home soil this week, get to know the squad representing Australia.
Over the next few days, we will take a closer look at the players selected in each position. Next up, the midfielders.
#6 Clare Wheeler
Debut: 21-Sep-2021 v Republic of Ireland (in Dublin) International Friendly (L3-2) age 23
Matildas Cap Number: 213
Jersey Number: 6
Appearances (goals): 34 (2)
Major Tournaments: AFC Women's Asian Cup 2022 & 2026, FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, Olympic Games 2024.
Current Club: Everton F.C.
Junior Club: Adamstown Rosebud (NNSW Football)
Wheeler has been named in her fourth major tournament squad, after making her debut back in the 2022 edition of the tournament. Since making her debut for Australia back in 2021 against the Republic of Ireland, the midfielder has gone on to feature at the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, making her starting debut during the tournament.
Since the last tournament, Wheeler made the move to Everton in 2022, shining for the Toffees, captaining her side, and has demonstrated her ability to run the game from the middle of the park.
The midfielder has made a name for herself for her work rate in the centre of the park, with a composed possession-based game.
Wheeler's first international goal came for Australia against their AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ opening game opponents, at the very venue where the first game will be played.
#10 Emily van Egmond
Debut: 06-Mar-2010 v Korea DPR (in Brisbane) International Friendly (W3-2) age 16
Matildas Cap Number: 172
Jersey Number: 10
Appearances (goals): 165 (32)
Major Tournaments: AFC Women's Asian Cup 2014, 2018, 2022 & 2026, FIFA Women's World Cup 2011, 2015, 2019, & 2023, Olympic Games 2016, 2020 & 2024.
Current Club: Leicester City
Junior Club: Dudley Redhead United FC (NNSW Football)
Van Egmond comes into the tournament as one of Australia's most experienced players, having represented her country in 11 major tournaments since making her debut in 2010.
The midfielder debuted for the Matildas at just 16 in 2010 and attended the FIFA Women’s World Cup the following year in Germany. Van Egmond has played professionally since 2009 and has gained a wealth of experience over the course of her career, having played in Australia, Denmark, Germany, England, and the USA.
As a player, she is known for her intelligence on the pitch, pulling the strings either from deep in the defensive side of the middle of the park to begin an attacking sequence, or putting the ball in its final position before hitting the back of the net.
This tournament could see the midfielder make history, becoming Australia's most capped player, currently sitting at 165, with the current record holder, Clare Polkinghorne, on 169.
#13 Alex Chidiac
Debut: 12-Feb-2015 v New Zealand (in Auckland) International Friendly (W3-2) age 16
Matildas Cap Number: 195
Jersey Number: 13
Appearances (goals): 37 (2)
Major Tournaments: FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2018 & 2026.
Current Club: F.C. Como
Junior Club: Croydon Kings (Football SA)
Chidiac has been named in her third major tournament squad, earning what the midfielder described as a “shock” call-up from Joe Montemurro. Her call-up to the squad comes off the back of fantastic form with Como in the Serie A Femminile in Italy, where she is regularly starting. Her last call-up for Australia came for Australia's June/July 2025 friendly series against Slovenia and Panama in WA.
The midfielder made her debut for Australia back in 2015 at just 16 years old, then went on to feature in the 2018 edition of the AFC Women's Asian Cup.
Chidiac made her FIFA Women's World Cup debut in the 2023 edition of the tournament, coming off the bench in Australia's narrow defeat to Nigeria to complete a lifelong dream. The midfielder is a two-time Julie Dolan winner, winning the award for the first time in the 2023 season, then more recently in the 2024/25 season.
Her time playing professional football has seen her play over a number of continents, starting her overseas journey in Spain with Atletico Madrid, then to JEF United Chiba in Japan, then spending time in the USA and Mexico before making her move to Italy.
#17 Amy Sayer
Debut: 02-Aug-2018 v Japan (in Chicago) Tournament of Nations (W2-0) age 16
Matildas Cap Number: 203
Jersey Number: 17
Appearances (goals): 19 (4)
Major Tournaments: AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026.
Current Club: Malmö FF
Junior Club: Northbridge FC (Football NSW)
This marks Sayer's first major tournament for Australia, and the chance for the midfielder to make her AFC Women's Asian Cup debut on home soil. Sayer has bided her time for the senior national team since making her debut in 2018, heartbreakingly missing out on Australia's 2023 Women's World Cup tournament after being named in the extended squad, then suffering an ACL injury that saw her miss the chance to head to the 2024 Olympic Games.
Sayer's story has been one of resilience, grit and determination. After missing out on a home FIFA Women's World Cup, Sayer impressed in Australia's Olympic Games qualifying, scoring her first goal to help the team book their spot in the Olympic Games. However, an ACL injury sustained in April 2024 saw her sidelined for an extended period of time.
With a home AFC Women's Asian Cup on the horizon, Sayer was determined to make her way back into the squad and get the chance to represent her country in a major tournament. Sayer's second game back from injury in June 2025 saw her score two goals in her first start in 549 days.
#19 Katrina Gorry
Debut: 11-July-2012 v Japan (in Tokyo) International Friendly (L0-3) age 19
Matildas Cap Number: 183
Jersey Number: 19
Appearances (goals): 118 (18)
Major Tournaments: AFC Women's Asian Cup 2014, 2018 & 2026, FIFA Women's World Cup 2015, 2019 & 2023, Olympic Games 2016 & 2024.
Current Club: West Ham United
Junior Club: Mount Gravatt Hawks FC (Football QLD)
Australia's midfield engine would be the best way to describe Mini; her work rate in the middle of the park is second to none, and she's demonstrated it at the last eight major tournaments she's played for Australia.
Since making her debut in 2012, Gorry has been in ever present face in Australia's midfield, known for her incredible work rate, sharp football IQ, and fearless style of play.
Despite being one of the smallest players on the pitch, she plays with an enormous presence, constantly pressing the opponents, tackling, and driving her team forward. Gorry is calm under pressure and excellent at linking defence to attack with quick passes and her clever movement.
#23 Kyra Cooney-Cross
Debut: 10-June-2021 v Denmark (in Horsens) International Friendly (L3-2) age 19
Matildas Cap Number: 210
Jersey Number: 23
Appearances (goals): 63 (2)
Major Tournaments: FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 & 2026, Olympic Games 2020 & 2024.
Current Club: Arsenal
Junior Club: Bli Bli United FC (Football QLD)
Since making her debut in 2021, Cooney-Cross has been a workhorse for Australia's midfield and a technically gifted player on the ball. Cooney-Cross is calm on the ball and can make line-splitting passes with her vision on and off the ball.
At just 24, the midfielder has already represented her country at five major tournaments, including two AFC Women's Asian Cup tournaments, making her debut in the 2022 edition.
Since her last tournament, the 2024 Olympic Games, Cooney-Cross has scored her first two goals for her country, notching her first goal against Germany with a long-range strike from halfway that saw her nominated for a Marta Award for Goal of the Year at the FIFA Awards. Her next goal came in a similar style, picking up the ball inside the attacking half and unleashing a shot into the top corner against New Zealand.
AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™
CommBank Matildas v Philippines
Date: Sunday, 1 March 2026
Venue: Perth Stadium, Perth
Time: 5:00pm AWST/8:00pm AEDT
Broadcast: Network 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
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IR Iran v CommBank Matildas
Date: Thursday, 5 March 2026
Venue: Gold Coast Stadium, Gold Coast
Time: 7:00pm AEST/8:00pm AEDT
Broadcast: Network 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
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CommBank Matildas v Korea Republic
Date: Sunday, 8 March 2026
Venue: Stadium Australia, Sydney
Time: 8:00pm AEDT
Broadcast: Network 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
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