Tony Gustavsson announced his 23-player squad for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia/ New Zealand 2023™ on Monday at the Home of the Matildas in Melbourne.
Over the next few days, we will take a closer look at the players selected in each position.
Next up, it is time to meet our defenders.
READ MORE: Meet the FIFA Women's World Cup Squad: The Goalkeepers
READ MORE: Meet the FIFA Women's World Cup Squad: The Midfielders/Forwards
Ellie Carpenter
Debut: 2/3/2016 v Vietnam
Matildas Cap Number: 197
Matildas Caps (Goals): 61 (3)
Major Tournaments: FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019, AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2018 & 2022, Olympic Games 2016 & 2020.
Current Club: Olympique Lyonnais, France
Junior Club: Cowra and District JSC (NSW)
Ellie Carpenter has been named in her second FIFA Women’s World Cup squad, aiming to build on her four appearances at the 2019 edition of the tournament.
After a standout performance at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and a strong inaugural season abroad with Portland Thorns, the defender made the move to the most successful side in European football, signing with Olympique Lyonnais in France.
The two-time UEFA Women’s Champions League winner suffered a heartbreaking injury during Lyon’s UWCL Final win over FC Barcelona, rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament.
A home FIFA Women’s World Cup just within reach, Carpenter went through eight months of rehab before making her long-awaited return for Lyon in February 2023, before picking up right where she left off and making her return for Australia in the April international window.
Steph Catley
Debut: 24/6/2012 v New Zealand
Matildas Cap Number: 177
Matildas Caps (Goals): 109 (3)
Major Tournaments: FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015& 2019, AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2014, 2018 & 2022, Olympic Games 2016 & 2020.
Current Club: Arsenal, England
Junior Club: East Bentleigh, SE Cougars (VIC)
Steph Catley has been named in her third FIFA Women’s World Cup squad, making 9 appearances for Australia over their last two World Cup campaigns.
An ever-present face in the Matildas squad, including playing all 450 minutes of Australia’s 5 matches in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Australia’s vice-captain appeared in all four of the Matildas’ matches at the 2019 edition of the tournament.
Since making her debut over a decade ago, the defender has amassed 100 appearances for Australia, becoming just the 13th player to reach the milestone.
The defender currently plays with Arsenal in the Women’s Super League, helping the Gunners to the Continental Cup title this season, her first piece of silverware since making the move to the North London-based club.
Charlotte Grant
Debut: 21/9/2021 v Republic of Ireland
Matildas Cap Number: 214
Matildas Caps (Goals): 18 (1)
Major Tournaments: AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022, Olympic Games 2020.
Current Club: Vittsjö GIK, Sweden
Junior Club: Cumberland United Women’s FC (SA)
Charlotte Grant has been named in her first FIFA Women’s World Cup squad, looking to make her debut in the tournament on home soil.
The young defender footballing journey began with Cumberland United Women’s Football Club as a junior, where her talent was quickly identified, and she was invited into Football South Australia’s National Training Centre Program. Grant then signed with hometown club, Adelaide United, at just 17 years old, making her debut for the Reds that same year.
Grant made her maiden appearance at the senior level in Australia’s game against the Republic of Ireland in September 2021 and then went on to make her starting debut at the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
Injuries to experienced defenders saw Grant find a place in the Starting XI against some of the biggest teams in the world, holding her own against the likes of Sweden, Spain and England, even managing to score her first goal and being named Player of the Match in Australia’s 2-0 win over the Lionesses.
The defender plays her club football in Sweden at Vittsjö GIK, after making the move from FC Rosengård, now playing alongside two teammates also heading to the Women’s World Cup in Katrina Gorry and Clare Polkinghorne.
Clare Hunt
Debut: 16/2/2023 v Czechia
Matildas Cap Number: 224
Matildas Caps (Goals): 5 (0)
Current Club: Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia
Junior Club: Grenfell Junior Soccer Club (NSW)
Clare Hunt has been named in her first FIFA Women’s World Cup squad, ticking off another major milestone this year after making her senior debut for Australia earlier in the year.
The central defender received her maiden senior call-up for the Matildas for the 2023 Cup of Nations, going on to make her debut against Czechia, and picking up an assist in her first cap.
After making her debut in Australia’s first game of the year, Hunt has gone on to feature in all of the Matildas’ games in 2023, playing the full 90 minutes in the team’s last four games, even setting up Sam Kerr for the opener in Australia’s 2-0 win over England.
The defender plays her club football with Western Sydney Wanderers, captaining the side and being named in the PFA A-Leagues Team of the Season after her 2022-23 season.
Alanna Kennedy
Debut: 24/6/2012 v New Zealand
Matildas Cap Number: 178
Matildas Caps (Goals): 108 (8)
Major Tournaments: FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015 & 2019, AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2014, 2018 & 2022, Olympic Games 2016 & 2020.
Current Club: Manchester City, England
Junior Club: Campbelltown Cobras SC (NSW)
Alanna Kennedy has been named in her third FIFA Women’s World Cup squad, making 9 appearances for Australia over their last two World Cup campaigns and looking to hit double figures in front of her home crowd in Australia’s first game against the Republic of Ireland.
Since making her debut over a decade ago, the defender has amassed over 100 caps for Australia, with her experience spanning across seven major tournaments from FIFA Women’s World Cups to Olympic Games.
The free-kick specialist has seen her club career span over three continents, starting her career in Australia with Sydney FC, also playing with Orlando Pride in the USA, before making the move to the Women’s Super League in England, where most recently she claimed the Continental Cup with Manchester City in the 2021/22 season.
Aivi Luik
Debut: 17/2/2010 v New Zealand
Matildas Cap Number: 169
Matildas Caps (Goals): 42 (1)
Major Tournaments: FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019, AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2010, 2018 & 2022, Olympic Games 2020.
Current Club: BK Häcken, Sweden
Junior Club: Palm Beach SC (QLD)
Aivi Luik has been named in her second FIFA Women’s World Cup squad, looking to build on the 1 appearance she had for Australia at the 2019 edition of the tournament in France.
The defender made her debut in the FIFA Women’s World Cup against Jamaica, coming off the bench in Australia’s 4-1 win over the Reggae Girlz.
Luik’s club career has seen her play in 10 countries, most recently playing in the Damallsvenskan in Sweden with BK Häcken.
The veteran defender, since attempting to retire in August 2021, made her return to international football going on to score her first-ever goal in green and gold during the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, a decade after making her first appearance.
Courtney Nevin
Debut: 10/6/2021 v Sweden
Matildas Cap Number: 211
Matildas Caps (Goals): 22 (0)
Major Tournaments: AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022, Olympic Games 2020.
Current Club: Leicester City, England
Junior Club: Oakville Ravens SC (NSW)
Courtney Nevin has been named in her first FIFA Women’s World Cup squad, another player looking to make her inaugural appearance in the tournament in front of her hometown crowd in Sydney.
Nevin made her debut for Australia against Denmark and was subsequently included on the roster for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The defender went on to make seven appearances in 2021 after making her debut, featuring two caps against the reigning FIFA Women’s World Cup champions in the USA.
Following the Olympics, Nevin moved to Sweden to play for Hammarby IF but is currently on loan to English club, Leicester City.
Nevin's time with the Foxes saw her nominated for April’s Player of the Month in the Barclays Women's Super League after picking up three assists and helping keep one clean sheet. The defender signed a contract with Leicester at the start of January 2023 and went on to feature in all of the Foxes' WSL games, helping the team avoid relegation.
Clare Polkinghorne
Debut: 19/6/2006 v China
Matildas Cap Number: 140
Matildas Caps (Goals): 156 (16)
Major Tournaments: FIFA Women’s World Cup 2007, 2011, 2015 & 2019, AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2008, 2010, 2014, 2018 & 2022, Olympic Games 2016 & 2020.
Current Club: Vittsjö GIK, Sweden
Junior Club: Wynnum Wolves, Capalaba Bulldogs (QLD)
Clare Polkinghorne has been named in her fifth FIFA Women’s World Cup squad, with the central defender bringing to most experience into the side, with 156 caps to her name, breaking the all-time appearance record earlier this year.
Since debuting with the national team in 2006, she has been a near-constant presence in the changeroom – someone who is a leader, not just on the pitch, but off it as well going on to appear at 11 major tournaments.
Polkinghorne, or Polks to fans, made her inaugural appearance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in the 2007 edition of the tournament, named in the starting xi for Australia’s 4-1 win over Ghana in their opening game in China.
The central defender was a part of the 2015 Women’s World Cup squad that recorded a first-ever win in the World Cup knockout with a 1-0 win over Brazil.
It’s difficult to imagine the side without the iconic number 4, with the Queenslander representing the team for 17 years. The start of the year saw Polkinghorne receive the highest honours, making her 156 appearance for Australia and surpassing Cheryl Salisbury's record to become Australia’s most-capped footballer.
FIFA Women's World Cup Australia/ New Zealand 2023™ - Australia's Group B Matches
Australia v Republic of Ireland
Date: Thursday, 20 July 2023
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Kick-Off: 8:00 pm (AEST)
Australia v Nigeria
Date: Thursday, 27 July 2023
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-Off: 8:00 pm (AEST)
Canada v Australia
Date: Monday, 31 July 2023
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-Off: 8:00 pm (AEST)