Three Indigenous Matildas called up to Provisional Squad for FIFA Women's World Cup

Emma Ruben Published June 20, 2023 at 11.44am (AWST)

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Celebrations erupt as Kyah Simon scores a goal at the FIFA World Cup in 2011. Making her the first Indigenous Australian to do so. (Image: CommBank Matildas Twitter)

Three Indigenous Matildas have received a call-up to the Provisional Squad for the FIFA Women's World Cup this July.

The Matildas will play the Republic of Ireland on July 20 at Stadium Australia in Eora (Sydney) before traveling to Brisbane to verse Nigeria.

Before the Matildas play however, head coach Tony Gustavsson will have to cut six players from this list and name his 23-player squad by July 9.

Provisional squad ✅
2️⃣9️⃣ players will participate in our final preparations for the upcoming #FIFAWWC

— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) June 19, 2023

The Provisional Squad includes three Indigenous players; Kyah Simon, Jada Whyman and Lydia Williams.

Simon was a surprise inclusion as the striker has not played a game since October 2022 after tearing her ACL while playing for club Tottenham.

The 31-year-old will be hoping to regain fitness before Gustavsson makes his final cut, so as to not miss out on a second straight World Cup because of injury.

The only uncapped player on the list is 19-year-old Whyman, who was vital Sydney FC's grand final win against Western United in May.

The goalkeeper ended the final with a clean sheet and ensured Sydney FC's first win since 2019, after three consecutive grand final appearances.

Whyman will have to compete with Mackenzie Arnold, Teagan Micah and Noongar Lydia Williams, as one goalkeeper will be cut from Gustavsson's final squad.

Members of the CommBank Matildas Provisional Squad and staff will assemble on the Gold Coast, Queensland, to complete the final preparations for the tournament in a closed high-performance environment.

As per FIFA rules, Gustavsson will name his 23-player squad on July 9.