| Nickname | Young Matildas | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Association | Football Australia | ||
| Confederation | AFC (Asia) | ||
| Sub-confederation | AFF (South-East Asia) | ||
| Head coach | Alex Epakis | ||
| FIFA code | AUS | ||
| |||
| FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup | |||
| Appearances | 5 (first in2002) | ||
| Best result | Quarter-finals (2002,2004) | ||
TheAustralian women's national under-20 soccer team representsAustralia in international women's under-20soccer. The team is controlled by the governing body forsoccer in Australia,Football Australia (FA), which is currently a member of theAsian Football Confederation (AFC) and the regionalASEAN Football Federation (AFF) since leaving theOceania Football Confederation (OFC) in 2006. The team's official nickname is theYoung Matildas.
The Australia women's national under-20 soccer team (later nicknamed Young Matildas) were established in the early 1990s.[1] Initially they were organised as an under-19 team,[2]: 16 which played a three-match series againstNew Zealand U19 in Australia in September 1991.[3] Another U19 squad touredNetherlands in 1998.[4] As a member ofOceania Football Confederation (OFC) the Young Matildas participated in the2002 OFC Women's Under 19 Qualifying Tournament, held inTonga from 23 April to 3 May. After winning their group matches againstTonga (hosts) 0–16 andCook Islands (0–15) they defeatedSamoa (13–0) in the semi-final and New Zealand (0–6) in the final. With that victory Australia U19 qualified for the2002 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship (predecessor toU-20 Women's World Cup).[2]: 16 That tournament was held in Canada in August–September,[2]: 16 and the Young Matildas finished fifth. This is the highest finishing place in a FIFA sanctioned world-wide competition of any Australian women's national soccer team until the2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, when the senior Matildas reached fourth.[2]: 16
In April 2004 withAdrian Santrac coaching, the team won the2004 OFC Women's Under 19 Qualifying Tournament, where they defeatedSolomon Islands 13–0,[5] and hostsPapua New Guinea 14–1,[6] to proceed to theU-19 Women's World Championship in Thailand in November.[7] The Young Matildas were sent home after losing their quarterfinal 0–2 againstUnited States.[7][8]
Young Matildas became a U-20 team when FIFA changed the upper age limit for its top women's age-grade competition from 19 to 20 effective in 2006. Also during that year all Australian international soccer teams switched from OFC toAsian Football Confederation (AFC).[9]Alistair Edwards, as coach, took the team to the2006 AFC U-19 Women's Championship in Malaysia in April,[10] where they finished third by defeatingJapan 3–2 in the third place play-off.[11] Due to their performance, the Young Matildas qualified for the2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship, held in Russia.[12] At that tournament Australia U20 were eliminated in the group stage.[13]
As the third-placed team for the 2006 tournament, the Young Matildas automatically qualified for2007 AFC U-19 Women's Championship inChongqing, China during October 2007.[14] With their 1–0 loss againstJapan and a 2–1 loss againstNorth Korea, the Australians were eliminated at the group stage and did not qualify for the2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.[14] The Young Matildas did not qualify for any U-19/U-20 world cup until2022 whenLeah Blayney coached theAustralian squad inCosta Rica, where they were eliminated in the group stage.[15]
From2013 to2018, the Young Matildas represented their nation at successive AFF Women's Championships (later renamedASEAN Women's Championships): a regional tournament for senior national teams in theASEAN Football Federation (AFF). Australia U20's best performances were finishing runners-up in both 2013 and 2018.[16][17] In the latter final, they lost 3–2 against three-time championThailand despiteMary Fowler's Player of the Match performance scoring both Australian goals - Fowler also won the Golden Boot for most goals (ten) in the tournament.[17][18]
Blayney coachedthe squad, which qualified for the2024 AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup, held inUzbekistan in March.[19] The Young Matildas reached the finals, finishing third by defeatingSouth Korea, 1–0.[19][20] New coachAlex Epakis oversaw their three victories in the2026 AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup qualifiers for Group C, held during August 2025 inTajikistan.[21] Young Matildas reached therelated tournament, which is due in April 2026 in Thailand.[21]
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Alex Epakis[22] |
Former managers
The following 23 players were called up forfriendly matches againstSouth Korea on 28 and 30 November 2025.[33][34]
Caps and goals are current as of 10 August 2025 after the match againstChinese Taipei.
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1GK | Sofia Fante | (2008-03-02)2 March 2008 (age 17) | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1GK | Ilona Melegh | (2008-07-02)2 July 2008 (age 17) | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2DF | Alexia Apostolakis(captain) | (2006-05-16)16 May 2006 (age 19) | 21 | 1 | ||
| 2DF | Tegan Bertolissio | (2006-08-01)1 August 2006 (age 19) | 8 | 0 | ||
| 2DF | Rubi Sullivan | (2009-01-07)7 January 2009 (age 17) | 3 | 0 | ||
| 3MF | Claire Adams | (2006-08-26)26 August 2006 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | ||
| 3MF | Madeleine Caspers | (2007-03-15)15 March 2007 (age 18) | 6 | 1 | ||
| 3MF | Amelia Cassar | (2008-02-09)9 February 2008 (age 18) | 2 | 0 | ||
| 3MF | Emma Dundas | (2007-05-29)29 May 2007 (age 18) | 0 | 0 | ||
| 3MF | Daniela Galic | (2006-06-17)17 June 2006 (age 19) | 19 | 6 | ||
| 3MF | Zara Kruger | (2006-05-29)29 May 2006 (age 19) | 16 | 1 | ||
| 3MF | Shelby McMahon | (2008-05-13)13 May 2008 (age 17) | 0 | 0 | ||
| 3MF | Poppy O'Keefe | (2008-08-17)17 August 2008 (age 17) | 0 | 0 | ||
| 3MF | Avaani Prakash | (2006-12-13)13 December 2006 (age 19) | 10 | 3 | ||
| 4FW | Josie Allan | (2006-06-23)23 June 2006 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | ||
| 4FW | India Breier | (2006-04-30)30 April 2006 (age 19) | 3 | 1 | ||
| 4FW | Tiana Fuller | (2008-07-28)28 July 2008 (age 17) | 2 | 1 | ||
| 4FW | Skye Halmarick | (2008-02-13)13 February 2008 (age 18) | 3 | 6 | ||
| 4FW | Grace Kuilamu | (2007-03-13)13 March 2007 (age 18) | 0 | 0 | ||
| 4FW | Kiera Meyers | (2007-06-22)22 June 2007 (age 18) | 0 | 0 | ||
| 4FW | Allyssa Ng-Saad | (2008-08-12)12 August 2008 (age 17) | 0 | 0 | ||
| 4FW | Caley Tallon-Henniker | (2006-02-17)17 February 2006 (age 19) | 2 | 0 | ||
| 4FW | Peta Trimis | (2006-05-18)18 May 2006 (age 19) | 15 | 4 | ||
The following players were called up to the squad within the last 12 months and still remain eligible for selection.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Jasmine Black | (2006-05-03)3 May 2006 (age 19) | 1 | 0 | AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers, 6–10 August 2025 | |
| GK | Tahlia Franco | (2006-06-29)29 June 2006 (age 19) | 2 | 0 | 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, 31 August–22 September 2024 | |
| GK | Chloe Lincoln | (2005-01-04)4 January 2005 (age 21) | 19 | 0 | 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, 31 August–22 September 2024 | |
| GK | Grace Wilson | (2005-03-04)4 March 2005 (age 20) | 2 | 0 | 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, 31 August–22 September 2024 | |
| DF | Amelia Bennett | (2008-05-22)22 May 2008 (age 17) | 1 | 0 | AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers, 6–10 August 2025 | |
| DF | Amali Kinsella | (2006-12-01)1 December 2006 (age 19) | 2 | 0 | AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers, 6–10 August 2025 | |
| DF | Maya Lobo | (2005-11-28)28 November 2005 (age 20) | 10 | 2 | AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers, 6–10 August 2025 | |
| DF | Isabela Hoyos | (2008-05-23)23 May 2008 (age 17) | AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers, 6–10 August 2025PRE | |||
| DF | Alexis Collins | (2008-03-10)10 March 2008 (age 17) | 0 | 0 | PacificAus Sports Four Nations Tournament, 17–26 February 2025 | |
| DF | Anastasia Simic | (2008-11-28)28 November 2008 (age 17) | 0 | 0 | PacificAus Sports Four Nations Tournament, 17–26 February 2025 | |
| MF | Sian Dewey | (2007-06-09)9 June 2007 (age 18) | 1 | 0 | AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers, 6–10 August 2025 | |
| MF | Mary Stanic-Floody | (2006-01-03)3 January 2006 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers Training Camp, 23 June–2 July 2025 | |
| MF | Indiana dos Santos | (2007-10-10)10 October 2007 (age 18) | 12 | 0 | PacificAus Sports Four Nations Tournament, 17–26 February 2025 | |
| MF | Shay Hollman | (2005-09-19)19 September 2005 (age 20) | 14 | 2 | 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, 31 August–22 September 2024 | |
| FW | Danella Butrus | (2007-02-13)13 February 2007 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | v. | |
| FW | Talia Younis | (2008-10-26)26 October 2008 (age 17) | 2 | 0 | v. | |
| FW | Milly Boughton | (2006-02-03)3 February 2006 (age 20) | 8 | 0 | AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers, 6–10 August 2025 | |
| FW | Amber Luchtmeijer | (2007-02-26)26 February 2007 (age 18) | 5 | 2 | AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers, 6–10 August 2025 | |
| FW | Sienna Saveska | (2006-09-25)25 September 2006 (age 19) | 3 | 3 | AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers, 6–10 August 2025 | |
| FW | Daisy Brown | (2006-07-13)13 July 2006 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers Training Camp, 23 June–2 July 2025 | |
| FW | Nikkita Fazzari | (2007-01-01)1 January 2007 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | PacificAus Sports Four Nations Tournament, 17–26 February 2025 | |
| FW | Jynaya dos Santos | (2005-09-22)22 September 2005 (age 20) | 12 | 4 | 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, 31 August–22 September 2024 | |
| FW | Lara Gooch | (2005-11-02)2 November 2005 (age 20) | 8 | 1 | 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, 31 August–22 September 2024 | |
| FW | Ella O'Grady | (2006-12-31)31 December 2006 (age 19) | 7 | 3 | 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, 31 August–22 September 2024 | |
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win Draw Loss Fixture
| 19 FebruaryPacificAus Sports Four Nations Tournament | Australia | 9–0 | Canberra | |
| 15:00 UTC+11 | Report | Stadium:Viking Park |
| 22 FebruaryPacificAus Sports Four Nations Tournament | Australia | 12–0 | Canberra | |
| 18:30 UTC+11 | Report | Stadium:Viking Park |
| 25 FebruaryPacificAus Sports Four Nations Tournament | Australia | 5–2 | Canberra | |
| 18:30 UTC+11 |
| Report |
| Stadium:Deakin Stadium |
| 6 AugustAFC U-20 Asian Cup qualifiers | Australia | 14–0 | Dushanbe,Tajikistan | |
| 22:00UTC+5 |
| Report | Stadium:Pamir Stadium Referee:Dong Fangyu (China) |
| 8 AugustAFC U-20 Asian Cup qualifiers | Palestine | 0–3 | Dushanbe,Tajikistan | |
| 19:00UTC+5 | Report |
| Stadium:Pamir Stadium Referee: Haruna Kanematsu (Japan) |
| 10 AugustAFC U-20 Asian Cup qualifiers | Australia | 3–0 | Dushanbe,Tajikistan | |
| 19:00UTC+5 |
| Report | Stadium:Pamir Stadium Referee: Dong Fangyu (China) |
| 28 NovemberFriendly | Australia | 1–0 | Canberra,Australia | |
| Report (FA) Report (KFA) | Stadium:Australian Institute of Sport Attendance: 0(behind closed doors) |
| 30 NovemberFriendly | Australia | 4–1 | Canberra,Australia | |
| Report (FA) Report (KFA) |
| Stadium:Australian Institute of Sport Attendance: 0(behind closed doors) |
| 2 AprilAFC U-20 Asian Cup GS | Australia | v | Pathum Thani,Thailand | |
| 16:00UTC+7 | Source | Stadium:Pathum Thani Stadium |
| 5 AprilAFC U-20 Asian Cup GS | India | v | Pathum Thani,Thailand | |
| 16:00UTC+7 | Source | Stadium:Pathum Thani Stadium |
| 8 AprilAFC U-20 Asian Cup GS | Japan | v | Bangkok,Thailand | |
| 16:00UTC+7 | Source | Stadium:Rajamangala Stadium |
| FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup record | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Result | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
| Quarter-finals | 5th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 9 | |
| Quarter-finals | 7th | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 8 | |
| Group stage | 9th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | |
| Did not qualify | ||||||||
| Group stage | 12th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | |
| Group stage | 20th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | |
| Total | 4/11 | 0 Titles | 17 | 4 | 2 | 11 | 21 | 32 |
| OFC Women's U-20 Qualifying Tournament record | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Result | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
| Winners | 1st | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 0 | |
| Winners | 1st | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 1 | |
| Total | 2/2 | 2 Titles | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 72 | 1 |
| AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup | Qualification | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Result | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
| did not enter | no qualification | ||||||||||||||
| did not enter | no qualification | ||||||||||||||
| Third place | 3rd | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 29 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 2 | ||
| Group stage | 5th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | automatically qualified | |||||||
| Group stage | 5th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 28 | 2 | ||
| Fifth place | 5th | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 12 | automatically qualified | |||||||
| Fifth place | 5th | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 12 | automatically qualified | |||||||
| Group stage | 5th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 0 | ||
| Fourth place | 4th | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 1 | ||
| Fourth place | 4th | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 22 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 3 | ||
| Competition cancelled | |||||||||||||||
| Third place | 3rd | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 0 | ||
| Qualified | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | |||||||||
| Total | 9/11 | 0 Titles | 39 | 17 | 1 | 21 | 77 | 80 | 25 | 24 | 0 | 1 | 182 | 8 | |
| ASEAN Women's Championship record | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Result | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
| Did not enter | ||||||||
| SeeAustralia women's national soccer team | ||||||||
| Did not enter | ||||||||
| Runners-up | 2nd | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 5 | |
| Third place | 3rd | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 4 | |
| Fourth place | 4th | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 26 | 4 | |
| Runners-up | 2nd | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 36 | 9 | |
| Did not enter | ||||||||
| SeeAustralia women's national under-23 soccer team | ||||||||
| Total | 4/12 | 0 titles | 22 | 14 | 3 | 5 | 89 | 22 |
| ASEAN U-19 Women's Championship record | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Result | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
| SeeAustralia women's national under-17 soccer team | ||||||||
| Did not enter | ||||||||
| Total | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
OFC Women's U-20 Qualifying Tournament
PacificAus Sports Four Nations Tournament