Matildas goalie Mackenzie Arnold, despite limited recent play, is starting all matches in the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup due to injuries and inexperience in the squad.

Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, 32, says she’s confident and prepared for the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup despite limited recent game time, citing pre-season play with her NWSL club Portland Thorns. With Lyon’s Teagan Micah withdrawing due to concussion and other goalkeepers lacking experience, Arnold is set to start the entire tournament. She emphasized ample competitive exposure through pre-season competitions and stressed focusing on individual game performance over position security. While expectations are high on home soil following a tough Olympic campaign, Arnold said the team is driven by internal standards, not external pressure.