CommBank Matildas Head Coach Joe Montemurro said that being in Kenya for the FIFA Series 2026™ has been invaluable for the coaching and playing group as they continue to grow and learn ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™.
He was speaking alongside captain Sam Kerr as the team prepares to play hosts Kenya in the final game of the series on Wednesday (Thursday morning AEST).
“We prepare exactly the same for each team,” he stressed.
“It’s been good for us in terms of this series, because we don't know a lot about the African teams. We don't know a lot about them, but we have come here with the utmost respect, and to worry about how we can make sure we play our football and keep our standards very high.
“We’re in a cycle now of preparing for the World Cup. This series has been invaluable for us, both as a team and as a coaching staff in terms of preparation.”
He said that the challenge was about finding continuity with the squad, wanting to win every game they were in, while also providing opportunities for different players to show what they could do on the pitch.
“We are in a situation where we're trying to stabilise the squad and get continuity, but also have a look at players that could possibly go forward in making the World Cup squad,” he explained.
“If Kenya's approach is to be very compact and very deep, that's a great challenge for us. We need to find ways to unlock those situations through our solutions and through our football.
“The most important thing is that we need to worry about ourselves, and if a team does defend in low blocks, well, then we have to find the solutions. All these scenarios, all this knowledge that we gain in these games is going to be important for us, because it's simulating real situations.”
He also gave an indication of the play that he expected the team to play against Kenya.
“I never come here to lose a game. Winning is a habit, and winning is a mentality that we have to bring with us all the time,” he said.
“We analyse how we win. We want to play our brand of football, and a good brand of football, to win games playing well. There are times that you have to do different things to win games, of course.
“But from my perspective, this will be a big challenge for us. Kenya is well organised and compact. We're going to have to be very smart. They've got a couple of very good players. If we're not careful, the game could turn different ways."
“So it's perfect for us, playing a team that probably is a little bit different. We don't know much about them in terms of what they'll come with. We know a little bit about what they've done in the last couple of games, but managing the football match for us is very important. We need to make sure we manage it.”
Sam Kerr, alongside him, was asked about the mood in the camp and their time in Kenya so far.
“My favourite thing about Kenya so far has been the people,” she said.
“Everyone has been so welcoming, so nice, so helpful. At the stadium the other day, it was very exciting to see all the football fans with Chelsea shirts, Arsenal shirts – it seems like there's a lot of support for our club football! Everyone’s been very welcoming and nice here. It’s been a very nice reception.”
She said that the growth of women’s football globally means that it has opened the space for every woman, no matter where they are from, to go out and chase their dreams.
“There’s an opportunity for girls, if they really commit to playing football and chase their dreams, to wherever you want in the world,” she said.
“You see a lot of African players now playing all over the world, like the Chawinga sisters, for example. There are a lot of girls playing in the USA now, too. People now can see the dream and see the reality of where they want to be. For me, the message is always clear - no matter where you're from, if you chase your dreams and commit to it, there is a pathway for young girls growing up.
“I feel very lucky that I'm in the position I'm in to be able to inspire people that I play against, or who are looking to play women's football. It’s a nice opportunity just to come here and enjoy my football and inspire more girls.”
She said that the team would be treating every game the same during the FIFA Series.
“No matter who we play, no matter where they're ranked in the world, we come here and play at the best level,” she said.
“Playing for the national team is something we don't take for granted. Every game we come, we prepare the same, we train the same, the seriousness is the same.
“I'm very lucky. I've been in a position where I've played many times for my national team, but this is someone's first camp, and our senior players have to set that standard and make sure that every time someone comes into camp, they know that it's an honour.
“So we don't take any team lightly. We don't come to training and joke around; we prepare exactly the same. There are as many video sessions on Kenya and Malawi as we would have against the USA or England. This is our job, we're professionals, and we treat every game the same.”
WOMEN’S FIFA SERIES 2026- KENYA
Match Three:
Malwi v India
Date: Wednesday 15 April 2026
Kick-off: 2.00pm local/9.00pm AEST
Venue: Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi
Match Four:
Kenya vs Australia
Date: Wednesday 15 April 2026/Thursday 16 April 2026 AEST
Kick-off: 5.30pm local/12.30am AEST
Venue: Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi
TV Broadcast: All CommBank Matildas matches will be broadcast exclusively on Paramount+