Culture / People

Everything you need to know as the Matildas prepare for the 2024 Olympics

WORDS Jasmine Pirovic    PHOTOGRAPHY Instagram    PUBLISHED Thu, 21 Mar 2024 - 11:56 am

matildas paris 2024 olympic games

How is it nearly the Olympics again? The sporting event has crept up on us – a result of the last games being postponed a year due to Covid-19. Soon, the world's best athletes will be heading to Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games, taking place from July 26 through to August 11 – including our beloved Matildas. If you've been following Australia's national women's football team, you'll want to strap in and take notes. This is what to expect as the Matildas ramp up their Paris 2024 Olympic Games campaign.

What did the Matildas place at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games?

The number four has haunted the Matildas. At the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, the team made it through to the semi-finals but lost to Sweden, later losing the bronze medal match to the USA. More recently, a similar situation occurred at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, where the Matildas placed fourth behind Sweden.

Who will the Matildas play at the 2024 Paris Olympics?

After multiple qualifying rounds, on March 21 the teams for the initial Group Stage were drawn. The Matildas will go up against the USA, Germany and either Zambia or Morocco as part of Group B. The two teams who achieve the most points from this group will continue to the next stage: the knockout round.

It's a tough group to play in – but aren't they all. The Matildas are currently ranked 12th in the world, while USA and Germany are ranked fourth and fifth, respectively.

Meanwhile, Group A will see France, Colombia, New Zealand and Canada go head-to-head, and in Group C, Spain, Japan, Brazil and either Nigeria or South Africa (the African playoffs will take place in early April).

Who is on the Matildas squad for the 2024 Olympic Games?

The next big decision will be for Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson, who must narrow down the current Matildas squad to a succinct 18 players. Here's what the team looks like going into their game against Mexico on April 10 10am AEST in San Antonio Texas.

Keepers

  • Mackenzie Arnold
  • Teagan Micah
  • Jada Whyman

Defenders

  • Steph Catley (Captain)
  • Ellie Carpenter
  • Alanna Kennedy
  • Charlotte Grant
  • Clare Polkinghorne
  • Aivi Luik
  • Clare Hunt
  • Courtney Nevin
  • Kaitlyn Torpey

Midfielders

  • Kyra Cooney-Cross
  • Mary Fowler
  • Katrina Gorry
  • Amy Sayer
  • Emily Van Egmond
  • Clare Wheeler
  • Tameka Yallop

Forwards

  • Hayley Raso
  • Caitlin Foord
  • Michelle Heyman
  • Cortnee Vine

Get tickets to see the Matildas at the 2024 Olympics now

Happen to be passing through France in late July? Tickets to the Matildas games against the USA, Germany and either Morocco or Zambia are on sale now at the Olympics 2024 website.

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Image: @matildas

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