Sam Kerr to captain at Women's Asian Cup as Mary Fowler returns

Sam Kerr will captain the Matildas at the Women's Asian Cup in Australia, as coach Joe Montemurro named a 26-player squad designed to balance experience and fitness ahead of the March tournament. Australia is chasing a second Asian Cup title after winning the competition in 2010.

Forward Mary Fowler has been included after returning to action following an ACL injury, though she has only recently logged limited minutes in club football since resuming play. The squad selection signals confidence that Fowler's form and match readiness can build quickly with the tournament approaching.

Australia will host the competition from March 1 to 21, 2026, with the Matildas drawn in Group A against the Philippines, South Korea and Iran, and opening their campaign in Perth on March 1. Reuters also reported defender Charli Grant was not included due to a knee injury and insufficient recovery time.

A home tournament brings both advantage and expectation. Home crowds and familiar conditions can lift performance, but they also amplify pressure-particularly for a national side that has become one of Australia's most high-profile teams in recent years. With Kerr as captain, the Matildas are leaning on leadership and big-game experience to anchor the campaign.

Montemurro's selection-described as containing only one uncapped player-reflects a clear approach: minimise uncertainty, back proven combinations, and give the team the best chance to peak during the knockout stages.

For fans, the storyline is straightforward: can the Matildas convert a home Asian Cup into silverware, and can returning stars like Fowler hit top gear in time? The answers will start arriving in Perth in early March.