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.
First up, it is time to meet our three goalkeepers.
READ MORE: Meet the FIFA Women's World Cup Squad: The Defenders
READ MORE: Meet the FIFA Women's World Cup Squad: The Midfielders/Forwards
Mackenzie Arnold
Debut: 20/11/2012 v Chinese Taipei
Matildas Cap Number: 185
Matildas Caps: 34
Major Tournaments: FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015 & 2019, AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2018 & 2022, Olympic Games 2016 & 2020.
Current Club: West Ham United, England
Junior Club: Burleigh Heads SC (QLD)
Mackenzie Arnold has been named in her third FIFA Women’s World Cup squad, looking to make her tournament debut on home soil. The shot-stopper has made five appearances for the Matildas in 2023, keeping a clean sheet in three of the fixtures.
A breakout season with West Ham United in the WSL saw Arnold named Player’s Player Award, as voted by her club teammates. Her top performance for club saw her play in all three games at the 2023 edition of the Cup of Nations, helping Australia lift the trophy once again and being named Player of the Tournament.
The keeper’s last appearance for Gustavsson’s side was during Australia’s 2-0 win over England, with Arnold keeping the reigning UEFA Women’s Euro Champions goalless and helping the Matildas break their 30-match unbeaten run.
Arnold made her debut for Australia back in 2012 at the age of 18, keeping a clean sheet in a 7-0 victory over Chinese Taipei. Since that game over a decade ago, Mackenzie has been 34 appearances for Australia at the senior level.
Teagan Micah
Debut: 15/6/2021 v Sweden
Matildas Cap Number: 212
Matildas Caps: 14
Major Tournaments: FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019, AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022, Olympic Games 2020.
Current Club: FC Rosengård, Sweden
Junior Club: Brisbane Blue, Brisbane Central (QLD)
Teagan Micah has been named in her second FIFA Women’s World Cup squad, still awaiting her debut in the tournament.
The most recent goalkeeping inclusion to Tony Gustavsson's national team squad, Micah has quickly risen up the pecking order after outstanding performances against some of the world's toughest opponents, most notably her run at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games that helped Australia to their best-ever finish at the tournament.
Micah made her debut for Australia in 2021 against Sweden, keeping a clean sheet as the side prepared for the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
The shot-stopper started five of the side's six games in Tokyo, exploding onto the scene back home after a player-of-the-match performance in goal against Great Britain, which included an inspirational penalty save in extra time.
In her 14 appearances at the senior level, Micah has kept a clean sheet in 5 of the games, most recently back-to-back clean sheets against Sweden and Thailand at the end of 2022. Micah is now plying her trade with FC Rosengård in Sweden, helping the Malmö-based side to two league titles and one Swedish Women’s Cup trophy.
Lydia Williams
Debut: 28/7/2005 v Korea Republic
Matildas Cap Number: 138
Matildas Caps: 102
Major Tournaments: FIFA Women’s World Cup 2007, 2011, 2015 & 2019, AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 & 2022, Olympic Games 2016 & 2020.
Current Club: Brighton & Hove Albion, England
Junior Club: Tuggeranong, Woden Valley (ACT)
Lydia Williams has been named in her fifth FIFA Women’s World Cup squad, with the keeper the longest-serving member of the side with 17 years and 11 months under her belt.
Williams, the first female Australian goalkeeper to reach a century of appearances for her country, made her debut for the Matildas back in 2005 at the age of 17 against Korea Republic. Since then she has amassed 102 appearances in the green and gold, ranging from FIFA Women’s World Cups, Olympic Games and AFC Women’s Asian Cups.
The shot-stopper’s career has seen her ply her trade overseas at a number of top clubs, spending 7 seasons in the United States with numerous large top-flight clubs, before switching to the rapidly expanding WSL, in which she debuted with Arsenal FC. A short stint in France saw Williams make a move to Paris Saint Germain, ultimately returning to the WSL with Brighton & Hove Albion this season.
The experienced keeper has been named to her fifth FIFA Women’s World Cup, perhaps the most special of them all appearing in the blockbuster tournament on home soil in front of family, friends and fans.
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)