In anticipation for the FIFA Women's World Cup which gets underway next month, let's take a glance at this impressive roster of athletes, a pool from which the definitive 23-member team will emerge on July 3, potentially propelling Australia to unprecedented heights in the most consequential sporting event to grace our land since the memorable 2000 Olympics.

At the unveiling of the CommBank Matildas provisional squad, national team Head Coach Tony Gustavsson paid tribute to the players who helped them reach this stage.

“From the first day of our first training session in 2021, we said it would take 23 in 23 for the FIFA Women’s World Cup and everyone would have a role to play in that journey,” Gustavsson said.

“What we have seen is that it has actually taken more than 23 players to bring us to this moment and for that reason I am thrilled to work with the players named in this provisional squad during the final phase of our preparation.

“I have been impressed by their full commitment at every step, and now we have the chance to fine-tune and solidify our gameplan ahead of a phenomenally exciting couple of weeks,” the gaffer continued.

Veterans Kyah Simon and Chloe Lograzo have been included in the provisional squad, despite being under injury clouds, to give them every chance to prove their fitness for the tournament. Both players have suffered ACL injuries in the last 18 months, and Simon in particular has been considered a long shot to make this year's tournament.

The squad is headlined by the elite skills of Sam Kerr, Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord. 23-year-old Sydney FC goalkeeper, Jada Whyman is the only uncapped player to be named in the squad. She faces an uphill battle to make the final 23 with Mackenzie Arnold, Tegan Micah and Lydia Williams all ahead of her in the pecking order currently.

Four of the provisional squad play their club football in Australia, 22 ply their trade in Europe, whilst three are currently without a club contract, effectively making them free agents.

The squad will complete the final preparations for the tournament in a closed high-performance environment on the Gold Coast, before setting up base camp in Melbourne prior to the team's final friendly before the tournament itself against world number five France.

Australia's Women's World Cup campaign kicks off with a fixture against The Republic of Ireland, before tackling Nigeria a few days later, rounding out the group stage fixtures with a clash against Canada.

MATILDAS PROVISIONAL WORLD CUP SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold (West Ham United FC), Teagan Micah (FC Rosengård), Jada Whyman (Sydney FC), Lydia Williams (Brighton & Hove Albion FC)

Defenders: Ellie Carpenter (Olympique Lyon), Steph Catley (Arsenal WFC), Charlotte Grant (Vittsjö GIK), Clare Hunt (Western Sydney Wanderers FC), Alanna Kennedy (Manchester City FC), Aivi Luik (BK Häcken), Courtney Nevin (Leicester City on loan from Hammarby IF), Clare Polkinghorne (Vittsjö GIK)

Midfielders: Alex Chidiac (Racing Louisville FC), Kyra Cooney-Cross (Hammarby IF), Katrina Gorry (Vittsjö GIK), Chloe Logarzo (Western United FC), Amy Sayer (Stanford University), Emily Van Egmond (San Diego Wave FC), Clare Wheeler (Everton WFC), Tameka Yallop (SK Brann)

Forwards: Larissa Crummer (SK Brann), Caitlin Foord (Arsenal WFC), Mary Fowler (Manchester City FC), Emily Gielnik (Unattached), Sam Kerr (Chelsea WFC), Hayley Raso (Unattached), Remy Siemsen (Leicester City FC), Kyah Simon (Unattached), Cortnee Vine (Sydney FC)

Edge of the Crowd partners with Her Game Too for the Women's World Cup, uniting our passion for diversity and inclusivity in sports. Together, we aim to dismantle barriers, tackle sexism, and amplify women's voices in the sporting realm. Join us in celebrating the spirit of the beautiful game, free of gender constraints. The love for the game knows no gender; let's make every game, Her Game Too. Head to @HerGameToo on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to learn more.

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