The main takeaway from the two meetings between the Matildas and Brazil over the past week is how physical the rivalry between these two sides has become. But there is also a heightened sense of anticipation about what this Brazil team can grow into by the time they host the Women’s World Cup in 2027.
After a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, Brazil are unsurprisingly on the upswing under coach Arthur Elias. But in players such as Amanda Gutierres, Aline Gomes, and Gio Queiroz – a cohort that wasn’t present for the medal-winning run in France – a depth of emerging talent was on show in Queensland.
Just like Australia, Brazil are a team in transition; long-time servants such as the incomparable Marta are beginning to move on as sights are set on building towards 2027. There remain stars like newly crowned NWSL champion Adriana – who impressed in Sunday’s 2-1 win – but a foundation of players hungry to cement their place ahead of a home World Cup is also emerging.
The Matildas know of the benefits that come with hosting the World Cup, but unlike the Seleção, Australia’s own period of rejuvenation comes after hosting the showpiece event. For the Matildas, the years ahead are to be defined by a balancing act struck between the pursuit of an Asian Cup on home soil in 2026 and managing the transition away from a golden generation of players at the twilight of their careers. And with one eye on 2027, this week’s games against Taiwan are likely to see a host of debutants.
Both the Matildas and Football Australia can use this past week as something of a marker for their long-term journey, in addition to immediate on-field lessons they learned. Brazil, for the most part, are a year ahead when it comes to reloading; a disappointing group stage exit at the World Cup in 2023 ushered Pia Sundhage out of the door and Elias immediately came in. They are representative not just of what is possible but also of the level the Matildas need to match in the years ahead.
Whereas it took less than a week for Elias to be named as Sundhage’s replacement, having been identified as the right candidate and hired quickly, it has been four months since Tony Gustavsson’s departure was confirmed. And there is no real clarity on the situation. References to the search for a coach were notably absent from FA chief executive James Johnson’s pre-match function speech in Brisbane, with his remarks instead leading on the commercial metrics surrounding the team.
Having responded to the call in the team’s hour of need, interim boss Tom Sermanni is doing his best to build for the future during this stretch, and ensure a foundation is in place for his replacement. He’ll likely oversee two wins over Taiwan despite losing several Europe-based players. But if the vision of FA’s full-time appointment bears little resemblance to the veteran’s philosophy, the utility of his efforts will be lessened through no fault of his own. Further, as every international window without an appointment passes, the future coach misses out on more and more precious contact hours with the team and time to implement their ideas and philosophies. Inevitably, it also handicaps the long-term takeaways from these international windows.
Tegan Micah, for instance, put in a highly impressive performance on Sunday despite the defeat, but how can she compete with Mackenzie Arnold without the coach, and goalkeeping coach, who will be in place for 2026 and 2027? Sharn Freier, Daniela Galic, and Winonah Heatley all showed promise against Brazil but is it the place of Sermanni to transition them into starting roles over established starters, or just get them ready to do that? Conversely, is an interim boss within his rights to begin moving stalwarts into reduced roles? And will the new coach’s formation and philosophy bear any resemblance to Sermanni’s?
Even though he led Corinthians through the Copa Libertadores before transitioning full-time into the Brazil gig, Elias’ rapid arrival after Sundhage’s exit ensured he quickly began to work towards reinvigorating the side. Whether Australia even has the football culture and depth of talent to match his efforts is unknown – few in football do. But if global silverware and not just home sellouts is still FA’s aspiration, the Matildas’ future has a growing coaching elephant in the room needing to be addressed.
