Surprise Matildas stars: who could be the unexpected heroes for the Matildas at World Cup?

With Australia co-hosting the upcoming Women's World Cup, there is lots of expectation on their national team, the Matildas, to have a successful tournament and to even challenge strongly to win the ultimate prize.

With a home crowd advantage, star players such as Sam Kerr and being on a hot run of form, it's looking as if Australia may be able to progress past the quarterfinals for the first time at a World Cup.

In a World Cup, though, you need to have a strong team outside your stars, and coach Tony Gustavsson has made a point of brining in many new players into the fold over his tenure in order to have a large pool of competition ready players to select from.

Despite early setbacks and criticisms, it looks like the plan is beginning to bear fruit, and there are several players who could burst onto the world scene during the World Cup. The Sporting News will look at some names to keep an eye on when the action begins in July

MORE: Australia vs England live blog

Clare Hunt

Club: Western Sydney Wanderers (Australia)

Age: 24

Caps: 5

Growing up in country New South Wales, as well as having serious ACL and shoulder injuries early in her career, it is fairly remarkable that Hunt even made it into the Matildas side in the first place.

Yet after two strong seasons at the Western Sydney Wanderers, where she is captain and lynchpin of the defence, she came up on the radar of Gustavsson for the recent Cup of Nations tournament. 

Making her debut at halftime of the opening match against Czechia, she made an instant impact, getting an assist for Haley Raso as the Matildas scored four goals in the second half on the way to a 4-0 win.

"I've dreamt of that experience since I was a kid" 🥹

A special moment, with Clare Hunt making her senior debut for Australia against Czechia, and marking her first appearance with an assist! #WeAreMatildas #CupOfNations #AUSvCZE pic.twitter.com/xLtXXbevoR

— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) February 18, 2023

She started the next two games of the tournament, as well as the two most recent friendlies — a narrow loss to Scotland and a famous victory over England away from home.

Hunt — who has won player of the year at club level two years in a row, is not a great chance for starting the opening match of the World Cup against the Republic of Ireland ahead of the experienced Alannah Kennedy, who was struggled for game time at Manchester City.

Cortnee Vine

Club: Sydney FC (Australia)

Age: 25

Caps: 16

Cortnee Vine was one of many debutants in 2022 that experienced a difficult beginning to their Matildas career, as she debuted in the Asian Cup campaign that ended in an embarrassing quarterfinal exit to Korea, and was also part of the side demolished 7-0 by Spain.

The fact that not only was she in the starting side that defeated Spain 3-2 less than a year later, she scored the opening goal of the game, which was a stunning effort from outside the box.

IT'S VINE TIME IN WESTERN SYDNEY!!
Courtnee Vine strikes from a distance in the top right corner!! @TheMatildas lead Spain 1-Nil 10 minutes in!! #AUSvESP pic.twitter.com/49HfJFDaOj

— 10 Football (@10FootballAU) February 19, 2023

It took Vine some time to find her feet, playing for three different A-League Women's clubs before settling at Sydney FC in 2020, where she has become an integral part of a team that has won three premierships in a row and wrapped up a grand final win in April.

There is a growing feeling Vine could be gearing up for an overseas move imminently, and a strong performance at the World Cup would bring her further positive attention.

Whilst there is strong competition in the Matildas frontline, her pace and energy off the bench in tight games could prove a difference maker, especially at the back end of the tournament as teams tire out.

Charli Grant

Club: Vittsjo GIK

Age: 21

Caps: 18

Despite having been in and around the Matildas squad since 2021 and making a handful of substitute appearances, it was only in the middle of last year that Charli Grant began to become an important piece in the Matildas side.

A long-term injury to star full back Ellie Carpenter saw Grant thrust into the starting role for their difficult match against Spain, and she has largely held down that spot since then.

Like the rest of the team, she has grown into the role and has improved in her performances, culminating in a top performance in that win against England where she scored the second goal of the game and the first goal of her international career.

.@TheMatildas double their lead against the @Lionesses ⚡️

Charlotte Grant with her FIRST EVER international goal 👏

Catch #ENGVAUS on @Channel10AU! pic.twitter.com/9HrstlcbhI

— Liberty A-League (@aleaguewomen) April 11, 2023

With Carpenter returning from injury and vice-captain Steph Catley also fit again, there is an abundance of talent for the Matildas at full back meaning Grant is no guarantee of starting.

However her performances in recent months merit her being in the conversation, and if the chance comes she will surely be an impactful player for Gustavsson's side.

Matildas World Cup 2023 schedule

The Matildas begin their home World Cup campaign on July 20 when they take on the Republic of Ireland in Sydney

The match was initially set to take place at the Sydney Football Stadium, however demand for tickets was so high that the match was moved to the 84,000 seat Stadium Australia.

A week later they do battle with Nigeria at Lang Park in Brisbane, and they round off the group stage with a crucial clash against Canada at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

If they top their group they will face the runners-up of Group D, and if they finish second they will face the winners of Group D; the teams in Group D are England, Denmark, China and Haiti.

Matildas World Cup 2023 schedule