FIFA Series: Australia Arrive in Kenya Ahead of Opening Match Against Malawi

• Australia has become the second team to arrive in Kenya ahead of next week’s FIFA World Cup
• The squad, which is led by Chelsea and Arsenal stars Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord, will begin their campaign against Malawi
• All matches will be played at the Nyayo National Stadium, with Harambee Starlets facing India in their first game on Friday

The Australian women’s national football team landed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Tuesday evening ahead of the FIFA World Cup.

Australia arrives in Kenya for the FIFA Series

The team, led by captain Sam Kerr, arrived to much fanfare ahead of their participation in the new FIFA tournament during this women’s international break.

Caitlin Ford of Arsenal is also in the squad, but club-mate Steph Catley was forced to withdraw after picking up an injury during the Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea.

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Kerr’s teammate at Chelsea, Ellie Carpenter and striker of Manchester City Mary Fowler was among the big names left out by head coach Joe Montemurro.

Australia recently lost the Asian Women’s Cup final against Japan on home soil.

The Matildas are the second team to arrive in Kenya after India arrived on Tuesday afternoon. They face Malawi on Friday in their first game before playing either Kenya or India in their next game next week.

“In the first three camps, and then heading into the new year, we want to say: ‘Okay, we’re starting to solidify where we’re going for next year.’ So there will be some adjustments, but that has to be done organically to make sure we stay true to who we are and what we want to do,” said head coach Joe Montemurro when he named the squad via the team’s website.

Australia’s squad for the FIFA Series

Goalkeepers: Morgan Aquino (Power DC), Chloe Lincoln (Brisbane Roar) and Mackenzie Arnold (Portland Thorns FC)

Defenders: Winonah Heatley (AS Roma), Alanna Kennedy (London City Lionesses), Jessika Nash (US Sassuolo), Courtney Nevin (Malmo FF), Jamila Rankin (TSG Hoffenheim), Charlize Rule (Brighton and Hove Albion)

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Midfielders: Alex Chidiac (FC Como Women), Isabel Gomez (Central Coast Mariners), Leticia McKenna (Melbourne City), Amy Sayer (Malmo FF), Emily van Egmond (Leicester City) and Claire Wheeler (Everton)

Forwards: Caitlin Foord (Arsenal WFC), Sam Kerr (Chelsea FC), Holly McNamara (Melbourne City), Harley Raso (Eintracht Frankfurt), Remy Siemsen (FC Rosengard), Kaitlyn Torpey (Newcastle United)

Why Australia chose to play Kenya

Australia Explained Why It Chose To Play Kenya Despite Head Coach Montemurro Asking Top Ranked Teams To Prepare For The 2027 Women’s World Cup, To Be Held In Brazil.

Apart from the Harambee Starlets, the other teams in the group are Malawi (No. 153) and India (No. 67), revealing a huge gap in quality between the Matildas and their other opponents.

Kenya Is Ranked 134th In The FIFA Rankings While Australia Is 15th.

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Source: TUKO.co.ke