Sam Kerr netted her 74th international goal to help Australia begin their FIFA Series 2026™ campaign with a routine win over Malawi at Nyayo National Stadium. They’ll face hosts Kenya in the series final, after the the Harambee Starlets swept aside India 2-0.
The Brazil Series also got underway in Cuiaba, where the Kerolin-powered hosts and an Annabelle Chukwu-inspired Canada collected big opening wins.
Australia goals: Emily van Egmond (5), Sam Kerr (41), Alex Chidiac (60), Holly McNamara (86), Leticia McKenna (90+4)
The Matildas made light work of Malawi in the pair’s first-ever meeting at senior level.
Van Egmond gave Joe Montemurro’s side the lead early on when she raced clear and slotted beyond Mercy Sikelo. The Aussies doubled up just before the break, with Kerr netting from close range after a mix up in the Malawi backline.
While Kerr was substituted at half-time the Matildas motored towards victory. Chidiac picked the ball up 30 yards from goal and drove forward before letting fly into the bottom-right corner. The victory was sewn up late on when McNamara tapped home a flowing team move, and McKenna netted on her international debut.
Australia will now face Kenya, while Malawi will take on India.
Kenya goals: Martha Amunyolet (2), Terry Engesha (57)
A goal in each half ensured hosts Kenya opened their campaign with victory over India.
The Harambee Starlets were rewarded for a quick start when Amunyolet pounced on an error by India goalkeeper Shreya Hooda to fire home the opener. Their lead was doubled shortly before the hour, when Engesha was slipped through to slot coolly into the bottom-right corner.
Victory ensures Kenya will take on Australia in the series final, as India prepare to do battle with Malawi.
Canada goals: Nichelle Prince (41, 45+1), Annabelle Chukwu (80, 88)
The Brazil Series featured three nations inside the top twenty of the FIFA Women’s World Ranking and one of those, ninth-ranked Canada, impressed in a first-up unpicking of Zambia.
That owed much to a perfect meshing of the established and emerging generations. The first half belonged to the former, with Nichelle Prince pouncing on a DB Pridham cross for the opener before grabbing a solo second in stoppage time.
After the break, the starlets took over, with 21-year-old Olivia Smith creating the first of two goals for 19-year-old Annabelle Chukwu. That pair are expected to be a key part of a promising generation of emerging Canadian talent and they gave further evidence of that belief in western Brazil.
Brazil goals: Noh Jinyoung (42 og), Ludmila (47), Dudinha (58), Kerolin (61), Taina Maranhao (83)
Korea Republic: Park Soojeong (87)
Also in Cuiaba, Brazil clicked straight into gear, carving out a slew of chances from set-pieces and open play. It was an errant pass from goalkeeper Leticia though that presented Korea with a golden chance to open the scoring as Casey Phair intercepted an under-hit ball, exchanged passes with Kang Chaerim and then curled her shot narrowly wide.
It was an error at the other end that allowed the hosts to strike first as Ary Borges’ shot was nodded past her own keeper by Noh Jinyoung late in the opening term.
The introduction of the dynamic Kerolin at the break saw Arthur Elias’ side turn their dominance into further goals, the first coming two minutes after the restart as some left-wing Kerolin trickery teed up Ludmila to slide home from close range.
The Manchester City forward had a second assist, for Dudinha’s leaping volley, before she joined the scoring party herself shortly after the hour.
21-year-old Palmeiras sensation Taina Maranhao rose from the bench to produce a slick fifth before a mix-up between Leticia and Mariza allowed Park Soojeong to steal possession and grab a late Korean consolation.
