Confirmed Lineups: Germany W v Australia W

Germany and Australia have confirmed their starting lineups for Friday’s friendly in Karlsruhe, with both sides looking to make the most of their first match of the international break.

Germany head into the match after finishing top of their World Cup qualifying group, while Australia continue preparations following their run to the final of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

Sayer starts for Australia

Sam Kerr captains the Matildas, leading an attacking lineup that includes Caitlin Foord and Hayley Raso.

Mackenzie Arnold starts in goal, with Steph Catley, Alanna Kennedy’s defensive counterpart, Clare Wheeler and Kaitlyn Torpey among the players tasked with keeping Germany at bay. Emily van Egmond joins Wheeler in midfield, while Ellie Carpenter provides another experienced option.

Alanna Sayer also earns a starting role, giving her an opportunity to impress against European opposition.

Australia will be without Mary Fowler, who withdrew from the squad for personal reasons. Her absence leaves the Matildas without one of their creative attacking options that will inevitably end up putting added responsibility on Kerr, Foord and Raso to create chances.

Australia starting XI: Arnold (GK), Heatley, Wheeler, Catley, Torpey, Foord, Van Egmond, Raso, Sayer, Kerr (C), Carpenter.

Minge leads Germany

Germany will be captained by Janina Minge, with regular skipper Giulia Gwinn unavailable after suffering an ankle ligament injury while playing for Bayern Munich.

Ena Mahmutovic starts in goal, behind a defence featuring Camilla Küver, Minge and Wamser. Sjoeke Nüsken and Elisa Senß add experience through the middle, while Klara Bühl and Jule Brand provide attacking threat.

Melissa Kössler and the young Zicai also feature in the starting lineup, giving Germany a chance to assess different options during the international window.

For head coach Christian Wück, the match is the first of two tests this break, with Germany also set to face Japan on October 13.

Germany starting XI: Mahmutovic (GK), Küver, Minge (C), Nüsken, Wamser, Zicai, Kett, Kössler, Bühl, Senß, Brand.

A chance to build momentum

The two sides last met in October 2024 when Australia came from behind to win 2–1 in Duisburg.

Friday's meeting gives Germany the chance to respond on home soil, while Australia will look to build on their recent performances and continue developing their options ahead of next year's World Cup.

With both nations already qualified for Brazil 2027, the focus in Karlsruhe will be on how the teams perform, which combinations click and who takes their opportunity to make an impression.