14 May Matildas announce squad for 2019 Women's World Cup

Matildas coach Ante Milicic has named his 23-player squad for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.

Veteran trio Lisa De Vanna, Clare Polkinghorne and Lydia Williams will participate in their fourth World Cups, while superstar striker Sam Kerr will captain the side during the tournament.

“This is a special group of Australian footballers because, as a unit, they have accumulated a wealth of international experience despite the average age of the team being quite young,” Milicic said.

“Having players that have appeared at multiple FIFA Women’s World Cups in our squad will help to guide the eight players traveling to their first Women’s World Cup, and I believe we will have genuine competition for starting positions across all areas of the pitch.

Here are the 23 @TheMatildas set to represent Australia at the @FIFAWWC in France! #GoMatildashttps://t.co/RVgkwVCR5E pic.twitter.com/QeAa6ud1de

— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) May 13, 2019

”I don’t like to single out individuals, however, I would like to congratulate Lisa (De Vanna), Clare (Polkinghorne), and Lydia (Williams) for earning selection in their fourth FIFA Women’s World Cup squads.

“I am really looking forward to joining the squad in Turkey and believe we can make significant progress before our first match is played in Valenciennes."

The Matildas will take part in a 10-day camp in Turkey before facing the Netherlands in a World Cup warm-up match on 1 June 2019.

Australia are out to better their quarter-final appearance at the 2015 World Cup in Canada, but will first have to negotiate past Italy, Brazil and Jamaica in Group C.