Matildas captain Sam Kerr says she hopes tournaments like the FIFA Series will ensure all federations see the opportunity in women’s football, as Australia prepares to take on Kenya in the final of the FIFA Series on Thursday, 1am AEST.
Speaking in Nairobi ahead of the game, Kerr was asked what she will tell Kenya’s players, many of whom will be playing against a player they look up to.
“Football is growing, women’s football, now there is an opportunity for girls, if they really commit to playing football, to chase their dreams, there’s a real opportunity to play wherever you want in the world.
“You see African players all over the world – (Malawi’s) Chawinga sisters, a lot of girls playing in the USA.
“People can see the dreams – the reality of where they want to be.
“My message is always clear no matter where you’re from: if you chase your dreams, commit to it, there is a pathway for young girls growing up.
“I feel very luck to be in the position I’m in to be able to inspire people who I play against, or are looking to play women’s football. For me it’s a nice opportnuity to come here and enjoy my football and inspire more girls hopefully.”
She added: “One thing I would like to see is more equality across the federations and every federation sees the opportunity in women’s football.”
Matildas boss Joe Montemurro has almost a full contingent with him in Kenya as he balances planning for the World Cup in 2027 with live, current action.
Alex Chidiac. Photo: Getty Images
“We are in a situation where we’re trying to stabilise the squad, get continuity and have a look at players who can go forward and make the World Cup squad.
“If Kenya’s approach is to be very compact and deep that’s a great challenge for us. We need to find ways to unlock those situations through our solutions and our football.”
Montemurro likened the FIFA Series to the UEFA Nations League as a way to ensure meaningful international football between competitions – but mused whether or not the results could cascade into something even more tangible.
“First of all, to have more realistic friendly scenarios – the Nations League, in Europe, they have to get points to qualify for World Cup…for us, the FIFA Series has been really important because we get to play other nations, other styles, other ways of thinking,” he said.
“There has to be a seriousness put to what a friendly means. Is it for ranking? is it for positioning for qualifiers? I think that’ll level out the situation. Picking or choosing the friendlies you want to come to is only damaging the image of the game.”
An example of the benefit of these matches was Leticia McKenna, the fifth goal scorer on Saturday night.
“This is Leticia’s first introduction. It was really, really important – it sends a message for future generations.
“We have a lot of talent in our A-League, our stocks, that we need to start giving confidence and belief. For me it was an important message, not just for Leticia, I am so proud of her, but for the foundation of our development in Australia.”
Kenya v Matildas
Date: Thursday 16 April 2026 AEST
Kick-off: 1am AEST
Venue: Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi
Broadcast: Paramount+
Leticia McKenna. Photo: Getty Images
Matildas squad
Goalkeepers: Morgan Aquino, Mackenzie Arnold, Chloe Lincoln
Defenders: Winonah Heatley, Jessika Nash, Jamilla Rankin, Charlize Rule, Kaitlyn Torpey
Midfielders: Alex Chidiac, Isabel Gomez, Alanna Kennedy, Leticia McKenna, Amy Sayer, Emily van Egmond, Clare Wheeler
Forwards: Sam Kerr, Holly McNamara, Hayley Raso, Remy Siemsen
What happened in game one?
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