Chelsea’s Kerr to make first home appearance since 2023 against New Zealand

Sam Kerr last played for the Tillies on home soil at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Kerr has been named in Joe Montemurro's 24-player squad for two home fixtures against New Zealand in coming weeks, whilst Tameka Yallop will play her first international since April.

Australia manager Montemurro is focusing on developing depth in the Matildas squad ahead of the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup, which will take place across five venues in Sydney, Perth and the Gold Coast in March 2026.0

Gosford and Adelaide will be the host cities for the friendlies against New Zealand on November 28 and December 2, during what will be the penultimate women's international window before the Asian Cup.

That leaves Montemurro with no more than five, and likely only four, official friendlies to work out his strongest combinations and get minutes into the younger members of the squad.0

Newly reinstated captain Sam Kerr will represent Australia on home soil for the first time since the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup because of her lengthy layoff with an ACL injury, whilst Brisbane Roar veteran Tameka Yallop also makes a long-awaited return after missing games against Argentina, Panama, Slovenia, Wales and England with a hamstring injury.0

“We have selected a squad of experienced leaders who know what it means to represent Australia as well as younger players who will be crucial to our on-going success," Montemurro said of his squad on Monday morning.0

“The goal is to create a strong and competitive environment where we can test combinations and ensure that each time we step onto the pitch, we are ready to perform at our best. 0

“It is also an opportunity to cement what is already a strong culture within the CommBank Matildas where every player and staff member plays a role.0

“This series, against New Zealand, is our final chance to see the squad and test combinations before the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, and it is the last time we will get to play in front of a home crowd which gives us an amazing chance to connect with fans one last time."

New Zealand and Australia have faced each other 50 times in official first team internationals but not since a two-leg series in 2022, where the Matildas triumphed 2-1 in Townsville and 3-1 in Canberra.0

('A' caps in brackets)

Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold (60), Chloe Lincoln (3), Teagan Micah (27)

Defenders: Ellie Carpenter (91), Steph Catley (139), Charlotte Grant (39), Winonah Heatley (12), Clare Hunt (38), Alanna Kennedy (141), Courtney Nevin (38)

Midfielders: Kyra Cooney-Cross (61), Katrina Gorry (116), Amy Sayer (18), Emily van Egmond (163), Clare Wheeler (32), Tameka Yallop (134)

Forwards: Caitlin Foord (138), Michelle Heyman (84), Kahli Johnson (2), Sam Kerr (130), Holly McNamara (14), Hayley Raso (101), Remy Siemsen (13), Kaitlyn Torpey (19)