Matildas to host Brazil in two-match series at Suncorp Stadium and Cbus Super Stadium after Germany friendly

The Matildas will host world football powerhouse Brazil later this year as the latest piece of a scintillating series of summer matches was revealed on Tuesday.

The women’s national team will be looking to redeem themselves after a disappointing early Pairs Games exit with the two matches in Queensland part of the first test for interim coach Tom Sermanni.

The two-match Brazil series will be played infront of expected sold out crowds at Suncorp Stadium on November 28 and Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast on December 1.

Suncorp Stadium is hallowed turf for the Matildas after their heart-stopping 7-6 penalty shootout win over France to advance to the World Cup semifinals last year.

The Matildas fourth-placed finish at the World Cup has been immortalised at Suncorp with a bronze bas-relief - showing the players celebrating the epic win over France - unveiled on Tuesday.

The games will be played after the Matildas take on Olympic bronze medallists Germany in Germany on October 29 and before Australia host Chinese Taipei in another two-match series in Victoria.

The Tilles will play Chinese Taipei at AAMI Park in Melbourne on December 4 and at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong on December 7.

The schedule means the Matildas will play four games in nine days.

Brazil did not make it through to the knockout stages of the World Cup, despite being a favourite, so the World No.8 will be looking to stamp their authority on the world ranked 15th ranked Matildas.

Australia upset the Brazilians when the teams last met with a 3-1 win before the sides drew 2-2 in Sydney in 2021.

“Suncorp Stadium holds incredible memories for Australian football and to revisit a city and stadium that was central to such an historic night for Australian football will be special. Football Australia CEO James Johnson said.

“The host of the next FIFA Women’s World Cup, Brazil is a quality side who will provide a fantastic challenge for our team as we embark on our next four-year journey with the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 and LA 2028 Olympic Games on the horizon.”

Queensland Minister for Sport and Tourism Michael Healy said the sunshine state would be out in force to support the Matildas.

“I know that Queensland football fans are champing at the bit to see the team in action again, particularly against such a highly rated opposition like Brazil,” he said.

Coaching of both national teams is in flux with Tony Popovic appointed the Socceroos new coach on Monday after Graham Arnold’s shock resignation, while Sermani was appointed interim coach last week.

With the Socceroos World Cup qualification campaign flagging Johnson had said finding a permanent Socceroos coach was more pressing than securing a new Matildas coach.

But it is expected a full-time Matildas coach will be appointed by the end of the year, possibly after the five friendlies in Europe and Australia.

Sermanni led the Matildas in two stints between 1994-1997 and 2005-2012 including winning the 2010 Women’s Asian Cup.

FA wants a coach for a full four-year cycle, tasked with winning a home Asian Cup in 2026 before taking Australia to the 2027 Women’s World Cup and the 2028 Olympics.

The coach will also have to navigate new standalone qualifiers for the World Cup. Previously, the Asian Cup doubled as World Cup qualifiers.

Former Manchester United and San Diego coach Casey Stoney, Sydney FC boss Ante Juric and former Matildas assistant Ross Aloisi are among the potential candidates for the full-time role.

The Matildas’ longest-serving coach, Sermanni brought through the majority of the team’s ‘golden generation’, including Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord.

Sermanni led the Matildas to quarterfinals at the 2007 and 2011 Women’s World Cups and to the 2010 Women’s Asian Cup title - their only triumph in Asia to date.

He coached the United States from 2013 to 2014, was an assistant for Canada in 2015 then led New Zealand from 2018 until the end of the Tokyo Olympics.

Sermanni, 70, will take a temporary leave of absence from his role as head of women’s football at Western Sydney Wanderers.

“It’s an honour to return to the Matildas, even in this interim capacity,” he said last week.

“I’m looking forward to working with this talented group of players and helping to ensure a smooth transition as Football Australia continues its search for a permanent head coach.”

Matildas summer series

Brazil

Suncorp Stadium, November 28

Cbus Super Stadium, December 1

Chinese Taipei

AAMI Park, December 4

GMHBA Stadium, December 7

with AAP