A host of City players have been selected in Australia’s latest youth national team squads, with representation across three age groups highlighting the Club’s ongoing presence in the international pathway.
The Junior Matildas and Joeys squads were confirmed this week for the upcoming
AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2026™ and ASEAN U17 Championship 2026 respectively, while three City players are currently representing Australia at the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026™.
Junior Matildas quartet bound for Asia
Four Melbourne City young guns have been named in the Junior Matildas squad set to compete at the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2026™, to be held from 1–17 May in Suzhou.
Goalkeeper Dali Gorr Burchmore joins midfield trio Kaya Jugovic, Izabella Rako and Keira Sarris in a 23-player squad selected by Head Coach Michael Cooper.
The tournament presents a major opportunity on the international stage, with Australia drawn in Group B alongside Japan, India and Lebanon.
Importantly, the competition also serves as a qualification pathway for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026™, with the top four nations securing a place. The Junior Matildas will be aiming to make history by reaching the tournament for the first time.
The City quartet will head into the tournament with a wealth of confidence and experience as members of Michael Matricciani’s Premiership-winning squad.
FIXTURE DETAILS
Junior Matildas v India
Saturday 2 May, 7.30pm (Local)/ 9:30pm (AEST) KO
Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre
Lebanon v Junior Matildas
Tuesday 5 May, 3.30pm (Local)/ 5:30pm (AEST) KO
Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre
Japan v Junior Matildas
Friday 8 May, 3.30pm (Local)/ 5:30pm (AEST) KO
Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre
Five City Academy stars selected for Joeys
Melbourne City’s Academy continues to produce top-tier talent, with five players named in the Joeys squad for the upcoming ASEAN U17 Championship 2026.
Luke Becvinovski, Fraser Brown, Akeem Gerald, Luka Demuth and Oliver O’Carroll will represent Australia at the tournament in Surabaya, Indonesia from 8–24 April.
Australia enters the competition as defending champions and has been drawn in Group C alongside Cambodia, Singapore and Brunei.
The tournament will serve as a key step in the Joeys’ preparation ahead of May’s AFC U17 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
FIXTURE DETAILS
Joeys v Brunei U17
Saturday 11 April, 3.30pm (Local)/ 6.30pm (AEST) KO
Gelora Delta Sidoarjo, Sidoarjo, Indonesia
Singapore U17 v Joeys
Tuesday 14 April 2026, 7.30pm (Local)/ 10.30pm (AEST) KO
Gelora Delta Sidoarjo, Sidoarjo, Indonesia
Joeys v Cambodia U17
Friday 17 April, 3.30pm (Local)/ 6.30pm (AEST) KO
Gelora Delta Sidoarjo, Sidoarjo, Indonesia
Young Matildas trio making their mark
While the next wave prepares for their tournaments, three City players are already in action at the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026™.
Fresh off helping City claim three consecutive Premiers Plates, Alexia Apostolakis, Shelby McMahon and Danella Butrus are currently on international duty, with Australia set to face Japan in their final group stage fixture tonight.
Apostolakis has started both matches so far, while McMahon and Butrus were included in the starting XI against India.
Butrus delivered a standout moment in that match, winning a penalty before scoring her first goal of the tournament, pressuring a midfielder into a turnover before driving forward and finishing from a tight angle.
With the tournament also acting as qualification for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026™, Australia will be aiming to secure a top-four finish.
FIXTURE DETAILS
Japan v Australia
Wednesday 8 April, 4.00pm (Local)/ 7.00pm (AEST) KO
Nonthaburi Province Stadium, Nonthaburi
Channel 10
