Overview

• Mary Fowler has resumed running in Sydney under Manchester City’s rehabilitation program and is projected to return by November after her April knee reconstruction.
• Sam Kerr has rejoined Chelsea’s pre-season training and is expected to reach full fitness by the end of the campaign before linking up with the Matildas.
• Montemurro has emphasised a gradual workload build-up to safeguard their long-term fitness during pre-tournament preparations.
• The Matildas will open the 2026 Asian Cup at Perth’s Optus Stadium against the Philippines on March 1 before facing Iran at Gold Coast’s Cbus Super Stadium and South Korea at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.
• Australia last won the Women’s Asian Cup in 2010 and aims for a second title with home-soil advantage and reinforced squad depth.