> Skip to content

Article  •  26 April 2023

 

6 Fun facts about the Matildas football team

Excited about the new Matildas documentary on Disney+? Check out these fun facts to learn even more about Australia's women's national football team.

With the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ taking place in Australia and New Zealand, there’s never been a better time to brush up on your knowledge about our own Aussie team.

Better yet, Disney+ has released its Australian Original series, Matildas: The World at Our Feet, which follows the CommBank Matildas on their journey to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™.

As one of our country’s most celebrated sport teams, it’s exciting to watch these stars take to the world stage!

Here are six fun facts about the team to get you hyped about the new six-part series and upcoming tournament.

Fun Facts about the Matildas football team

  1. The team’s name comes from the folk song ‘Waltzing Matilda’.
  2. The first Australian woman’s team was established in 1978 to participate in the first World Women’s Invitational Tournament.
  3. In 2007, the CommBank Matildas qualified for the World Cup finals for the first time.
  4. In 2019, with 20,029 spectators watching them play against Chile, the team set a record for the highest attendance at a standalone women’s football match in Australian history.
  5. Team captain Sam Kerr is the only female football player to have won the Golden Boot in three different leagues and on three different continents.
  6. Up until 2008, the team shared the name ‘Socceroos’ with the men’s national football team. Having their own name has cemented the Matildas as their own team with their own skills, rather than sitting in the shadows of their male counterparts.

 

What Makes a Matilda

What Makes a Matilda book cover.

If you want to learn even more about the Matildas, check out What Makes a Matilda, a book for readers aged eight and up that explores exactly what it takes to be one of Australia’s top female footballers.

Going back to where it all began, the book follows the journey of our national team from their first international competition to their preparations for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ and everything in between.

From tips to capturing the Matilda spirit to in-depth player profiles, the amazing information inside is sure to delight young football fans.

 

Love football? See more football books from Puffin, here

Feature Title

What Makes a Matilda
Ever wondered what it takes to be one of Australia’s top female footballers? What Makes a Matilda has you covered!
Read more

More features

See all
Article
How Kristin Darell tapped in to her love of sport while writing her new book

We talked with Kristin Darell to learn all about Football Fever 1: The Kick-off.

Article
Penguin Fantasy Fest 2025

Penguin Fantasy Fest is back and better than ever!

Article
5 of the hottest YA books right now (2025)

Check out some of the hottest YA books in stores now, from epic romantasy to sweet, unexpected romance.

Article
How to throw the perfect Bluey birthday party

Everything you need to throw the perfect Bluey birthday party!

Article
Your guide to writers’ festivals in May 2025

Check out some of the Penguin Random House authors who will be at upcoming writers’ festivals.

Article
How to save money on groceries: 6 innovative budget tips

Food shopping on a budget? These tips from Money-Saving Meal Plans With Chelsea will help you spend less on food.

Article
Penguin Picks: 4 books to escape with this long weekend – no travel required

Check out the long weekend reads Penguin employees are loving.

Article
Penguin Noir 2025 was a criminally good showcase

Our 2025 Penguin Noir events have wrapped up for another year – featuring four cities, four days, seven authors and a whole lot of crime!

Article
Two Penguin authors make the shortlist for the 2025 Stella Prize

Congrats to Samah Sabawi, author of Cactus Pear For My Beloved and Jumaana Abdu, author of Translations!

Article
Lynette Noni is touring Australia in 2025!

Find out where you can hear Lynette Noni speak about her upcoming book, Wandering Wild.

Article
Two thrilling adaptations of Candice Fox’s bestsellers are coming to screens near you

High Wire and Fire With Fire are both in development for series adaptations.

Article
Maurice and Maralyn wins Nero Gold Prize, Book of the Year 2024

We’re thrilled to share that Maruice and Maralyn by Sophie Elmhirst has won the Nero Book Awards Gold Prize, Book of the Year.

Looking for more articles?

See all articles
penguin pop image
penguin pop image