Meet our AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Squad - The Goalkeepers

As the CommBank Matildas prepare to kick off their AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ campaign on home soil this week, get to know the squad representing Australia.

Over the next few days, we will take a closer look at the players selected in each position. First up, the goalkeepers.

#1 Mackenzie Arnold

Debut: 20-Nov-2012 v Chinese Taipei (in Shenzhen) EAFF Women's East Asian Cup Preliminary Round 2 (W7-0)

Matildas Cap Number: 185

Jersey Number: 1

Appearances (goals): 61 (0)

Major Tournaments: FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015, 2019 & 2023, AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2018, 2022 & 2026, Olympic Games 2016, 2021 & 2024.

Current Club: Portland Thorns, USA

Junior Club: Burleigh Heads SC (Football QLD)

With 14 years of experience with the Matildas, Mackenzie is looking to bring her wealth of international experience to her third AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

Arnold made her debut for Australia back in 2012 against Chinese Taipei at 18 years old, keeping a clean sheet in her first appearance. She has gone on to be named in three FIFA Women’s World Cup squads, three AFC Women’s Asian Cup squads and two Olympic Games tournaments.

A finalist for the 2023 FIFA The Best Goalkeeper following her integral role in helping Australia advance to the semi-final of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup on home soil. Arnold is one of the top goalkeepers in the world and is currently plying her trade with the Portland Thorns in the NWSL.

Arnold’s 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign was one to remember. She became the starting goalkeeper for the FIFA Women ’s World Cup 2023™, making her debut in the tournament and helping the team to their first semi- final at a World Cup.

Famously, she made three penalty saves in Australia’s quarter-final shootout victory against France to earn her place in Australian sporting folklore.

#12 Chloe Lincoln

Debut: 7-Dec-2024 v Chinese Taipei (in Geelong) International Friendly (W6-0)

Matildas Cap Number: 233

Jersey Number: 12

Appearances (goals): 3 (0)

Major Tournaments: AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026

Current Club: Brisbane Roar

Junior Club: Northern Inland Football (NNSW Football)

Chloe Lincoln has been named in her first major tournament squad for the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup. Since making her debut back in 2024, she has gone on to make 3 appearances for Australia, making some impressive saves in the process.

Lincoln became the first goalkeeper to debut for Australia since Teagan Micah in 2021, when she replaced Mackenzie Arnold in the 65th minute of Australia’s 6-0 win over Chinese Taipei.

She has represented Australia at a number of youth tournaments, helping Australia secure a bronze medal at the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup 2024 as well as lifting the ASEAN Women's Championship in 2025.

#18 Jada Whyman

Debut: Yet to make her debut

Jersey Number: 18

Appearances (goals): 0 (0)

Major Tournaments: AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026

Current Club: AIK

Junior Club: Tolland Football Club (Football NSW)

Jada Whyman has been named in her first major tournament squad for the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup. The goalkeeper has been a mainstay in senior camps since 2018 but is still waiting to make her first appearance for Australia.

Whyman hails from Wagga Wagga, and notes former Matildas goalkeeper, Lydia Williams, as one of her inspirations to take up goalkeeping, after a 12-year-old Whyman was inspired watching Williams’ performance at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

After spending close to a decade in the A-League Women’s with Western Sydney Wanderers (2015-202) and Sydney FC (2020-2024), Whyman made her first move abroad, signing with Swedish side AIK ahead of the 2024 season.

Jada’s 2025 season with AIK saw her record 7 clean sheets to ensure her team’s place in the topflight, and coming equal third in the season with clean sheets kept.

AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™

Click here to read article