PERTH, AUSTRALIA – JULY 07: Samantha Kerr in action during an Australia Matildas Training Session at HBF Park on July 07, 2025 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
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Sam Kerr has been called up to the Australia squad for the first time since late 2023 after the striker was included in the camp for friendlies against Wales and England later this month.
Kerr, who missed most of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, last played for Australia in November of that year, featuring in an AFC Women’s Olympic qualifying match against Chinese Taipei.
The 32-year-old then suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in January 2024 while training with her club Chelsea. She missed most part of the 2023-24 season, the entire 2024-25 campaign, as well as the 2024 Paris Olympics with Australia.
Following a lengthy absence of 634 days, she returned for Chelsea last month, scoring her 100th goal for the Blues in her first game back.
“Having Sam back in the squad is a special moment – not just for the team, but for Australian football,” Matildas head coach Joe Montemurro said in a media release.
“Her leadership and presence are invaluable as we continue building toward the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 and beyond.”
Kerr, who has scored 69 goals for Australia in 128 internationals, has been playing in a limited role for Chelsea and coach Montemurro is likely to gradually introduce her in the friendlies.
This will be the first time Kerr has been called into camp under Montemurro; however, she was part of the team’s last camp in April, as she continued her rehab from her injury.
In a post on X, the Matildas confirmed Kerr was back with the squad for the first time in 692 days. However, the team did not mention if Kerr will retain the captaincy, which defender Steph Catley took over in her absence.
The Matildas are due to face Wales in Cardiff on October 25 and European champions England in Derby three days later.
“It will be Australia’s first time competing against Wales and there is a competitive history with England, so both games will provide different challenges to test the team, our playing style and the way we play together,” Montemurro said.
The upcoming friendlies are part of Australia’s preparation for the Women’s Asian Cup 2026, which they will host across three cities in March. The Matildas are in Group A with South Korea, Iran and the Philippines.
The 2026 Women’s Asian Cup will serve as the final stage of Asian qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.