Two Victorians selected in CommBank Young Matildas squad for AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026™

CommBank Young Matildas Head Coach Alex Epakis has confirmed the 23-player squad that will travel to Thailand to compete in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Thailand 2026 running from 1-18 April.

The squad selected reflects both current performance and future potential within the CommBank Young Matildas environment. Players such as Alexia Apostolakis, Avaani Prakash and Talia Younis have shown strong consistency across the A-League Women this season, bringing that form and leadership into the side.

Australia has been placed in Group C, alongside Japan, Chinese Taipei and India. The CommBank Young Matildas will first face Chinese Taipei on April 2 at Pathum Thani Stadium.

The AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ also serves as the qualification pathway for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026™, with the top four teams earning a place at the global event.

Australia will be aiming to secure one of those coveted spots and continue to cement its place in youth football.

CommBank Young Matildas Head Coach Alex Epakis said the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup presents a significant moment for the squad as they prepare to take on the challenges of the tournament:

“The AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup is something we have been building towards with real intent.

“We know that big moments such as this require our full focus, so we’ve selected a squad with the depth, versatility and ambition to meet those demands. Across the squad, there is a strong base of players with meaningful A-League Women's match and training exposure. This supports our focus on building on our team identity, where players can perform and compete at the required level. Supported by the development of the players across the cycle and previous activities, the group is match-ready and equipped for the demands of tournament football.

“While we have some key players unavailable through injury and non-release, this has created an opportunity to expose a group who will form an important part of the next U20 cycle. Thirteen players in this squad remain age-eligible, which is a positive for both this tournament and ongoing development within the Matildas' ecosystem. It allows them to test themselves early, showcase their strengths, and gain valuable experience against a range of teams and playing styles.

“What really stands out about this group and excites me is the variety of attacking strengths, their ability to execute a fluid style of play, strong competitive mindset, and a clear commitment to a team-first environment. We have belief in what this squad can deliver, and we are focused on leaving a mark on the tournament through our style, intent and collective belief.”

The AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ will take place from 1 - 18 April 2026 and serve as the qualification tournament for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Poland 2026™ from 5 - 27 September 2026.

COMMBANK YOUNG MATILDAS | SQUADFixtures | Group C | AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Thailand 2026