International windows are precious for elite women’s teams, and the report says Montemurro will have only four more before the tournament in 2027. That sharpens the value of every friendly.
That matters because Australia are no longer building from scratch. They are trying to turn a proven tournament side into one capable of winning one.
Two names stand out immediately: Sam Kerr and Michelle Heyman.
That creates a useful selection tension. Kerr represents elite experience and big-game authority. Heyman offers a local narrative and a different attacking option at a time when depth matters as much as star power.
A meeting with Colombia, described in the report as 20th in the world rankings, would not be exhibition football in the soft sense. Colombia have built a reputation as a difficult, athletic and emotionally intense opponent. That is exactly the kind of test Australia need before 2027.
Canberra also looks like a logical host city. The Matildas drew a reported record women’s sports crowd of 25,125 there for a 4-1 win over Argentina in July 2025, and another strong turnout would underline their reach beyond the biggest capitals.
If the announcement arrives, the next storyline will be clear: not just who Australia play, but which version of the Matildas Montemurro wants to shape for the next World Cup cycle.