Matildas to Face Wales in Historic Friendly Ahead of Asian Cup Campaign

In a move that marks a significant step in their preparations for the upcoming Asian Cup, the Matildas will face Wales in a historic friendly match scheduled for October 25 in Cardiff. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two nations in women’s football, setting the stage for an exciting encounter that promises to test the Matildas’ readiness for the tournament.

Matildas coach Joe Montemurro has described the match as a "perfect test" for his squad, emphasizing the importance of facing a competitive side that will challenge their style of play. "We are looking to make the most of the next few FIFA women’s international windows and Wales is the perfect test for the team as we have never played them before and they are a competitive side that will test our style of play," Montemurro said.

Wales, ranked 32nd in the world, is yet to qualify for a Women’s World Cup but made history by securing qualification for Euro 2025. The match against Wales is part of the Matildas’ preparations for their Asian Cup campaign, which will begin on March 1 with a match against the Philippines in Perth.

The Matildas will also face an opponent yet to be determined during the same international window. However, the availability of star player Sam Kerr, who has not played since tearing her ACL in January last year, remains uncertain. Her inclusion could significantly impact the team’s performance in the upcoming matches.

In addition to the friendly against Wales, the Matildas have already played two matches against Panama in Western Australia. While the initial results were mixed, the team showed resilience with a last-minute 3–2 win in the second match, thanks to a brace from Michelle Heyman and a late goal from Charli Grant.

The Matildas’ captain, Steph Catley, has also been nominated for the Ballon d’Or Feminin, one of the most prestigious individual awards in women’s football. Her leadership on and off the field will be crucial as the team continues to build momentum ahead of the Asian Cup.

As the Matildas prepare for their next set of international matches, the focus remains on strengthening team cohesion, refining their tactical approach, and ensuring that every opportunity is used to elevate the squad to the next level. The upcoming friendly against Wales is a key moment in this journey, offering a chance to measure progress against a new and challenging opponent.