On August 12, 2026 the A-League All Stars Women will face off against English giants Chelsea in a blockbuster clash at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium and the squad is now confirmed!
The countdown is well and truly on ahead of the mouthwatering fixture that pits the Ninja A-League’s best against eight-time Women’s Super League (WSL) winners Chelsea.
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Current Melbourne Victory Head Coach Jeff Hopkins will lead the side against the English giants at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium – a squad which will likely feature big names such as Ellie Carpenter, Kiera Walsh and Lauren James.
A new player was revealed on a daily basis by aleagues.com.au and we now know exactly who will take to the field in what will be the A-League All Stars Women’s second ever game!
FULL SQUAD:
Goalkeepers
Chloe Lincoln (Brisbane Roar)
Courtney Newbon (Melbourne Victory)
Defenders
Angela Beard (Brisbane Roar)
Claudia Bunge (Melbourne Victory)
Brooke Nunn (Wellington Phoenix)
Kayla Morrison (Melbourne Victory)
Karly Roestbakken (Melbourne City)
Rebekah Stott (Melbourne City)
MidfieldersÂ
Mackenzie Hawkesby (Sydney FC)
Grace Jale (Wellington Phoenix)
Leticia McKenna (Melbourne City)
Shelby McMahon (Melbourne City)
Tameka Yallop (Brisbane Roar)
Talia Younis (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Forwards
Melina Ayres (Newcastle Jets)
Aideen Keane (Melbourne City)
Pia Vlok (Wellington Phoenix)
Makala Woods (Wellington Phoenix)
Read on for a more detailed look at some of the best Ninja A-League talent currently playing in both Australia and New Zealand.
History of the All Stars
For the A-League Women All Stars, the showpiece event will be their second ever match, having first faced Arsenal Women in front of more than 42,000 fans in 2024.
The side from the Ninja A-League Women, the top-ranked league in Asia, is set to showcase Matildas, All Whites and other internationals and young national team representatives.
2026 Sydney Super Cup
The match will feature as part of the 2026 Sydney Super Cup that will also see English Premier League heavyweights, Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur, take on Isuzu UTE A-League Men sides Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC, before they face each other in a London Derby in the Harbour City.
Chelsea vs Western Sydney Wanderers
Kick-off 7.45pm AEST, Tuesday 28 July, 2026 at Accor Stadium
Tottenham Hotspur v Sydney FC
Kick-off 7.45pm AEST, Wednesday 29 July, 2026 at Allianz Stadium
Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur
Kick-off 7.45pm AEST, Saturday 1 August, 2026 at Accor Stadium
Chelsea Women v A-League All Stars Women
Kick-off 7.45pm AEST, Wednesday 12 August, 2026 at Allianz Stadium
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KAYLA MORRISON
A rock at the back for Melbourne Victory, Captain Kayla Morrison was the final name selected for the Ninja A-League All Stars.
The American played in and started every single game for Victory last season as Jeff Hopkins’ side booked their spot in the Finals Series.
Powerful in the air and strong in the tackle, Morrison will add even more leadership to a defensive unit that already contains the likes of Rebekah Stott and Angie Beard.
Morrison’s stats from the 25/26 campaign don’t lie, with the central defender ranking right at the very top when it came to recoveries, clearances and tackles, making her the perfect fit for the All Stars defence.
KARLY ROESTBAKKEN
After another impressive Ninja A-League campaign, Karly Roestbakken has earned her place in the A-League All Stars squad to take on Chelsea.
A composed and versatile defender with Matildas experience, Karly’s quality, resilience and consistency have been rewarded with selection among the league’s best following a season where she helped City win both the Ninja A-League Premiership and Championship!
BROOKE NUNN
A Chelsea supporter growing up… now she’ll face them on one of the biggest stages.
Following another outstanding Ninja A-League campaign, Brooke Nunn has earned her place in the A-League All Stars squad to take on Chelsea FC Women.
Nunn was one of the standout performers in a Wellington Phoenix side that broke records galore during the 25/26 season, not only helping the Nix qualify for a first ever Finals Series but also firing them to the Ninja A-League Grand Final.
The skilful winger bagged an impressive six goals and seven assists during the 25/26 season and will hope to cause her childhood club plenty of misery on August 12.
MACKENZIE HAWKESBY
A serial Ninja A-League champion, Mackenzie Hawkesby has earned her place in the A-League All Stars squad after another impressive season with Sydney FC.
Hawkesby registered three goals and four assists for the Sky Blues across the season and will now turn her attention to unlocking the Chelsea defence on August 12 alongside a plethora of talented Ninja A-League attackers.
MELINA AYRES
Goals win games – and that’s exactly why Newcastle Jets striker Melina Ayres has been included in the All Stars squad to face Chelsea!
One of the deadliest strikers in the competition, the Newcastle Jets striker has been rewarded for another strong Ninja A-League campaign with selection in the A-League All Stars squad to face Chelsea FC Women.
Ayres bagged eight goals last season and will be looking to do the same again on August 12 when they take on Chelsea at Allianz Stadium.
TALIA YOUNIS
After a standout 2025/26 Ninja A-League campaign with Western Sydney Wanderers, Young Matildas midfielder Talia Younis has earned her place in the A-League All Stars Womens squad.
A dynamic midfielder with a bright future, Talia’s impressive season has been rewarded with selection as she prepares to take on Chelsea FC Women.
Younis finished the season ranked as one of the top 10 players in the Ninja A-League and scored three goals and registered two assists during what was truly a breakout campaign.
ANGIE BEARD
The Brisbane Roar and Philippines international defender adds plenty of experience to the All Stars backline ahead of their clash with Chelsea.
Having returned to the Ninja A-League in February 2026, Beard slotted straight into the Roar backline and helped steer them back to the Finals Series for the first time since the 2020/21 season, where they then defeated Adelaide United before in the Elimination Final before bowing out to the Wellington Phoenix.
Beard also represented the Philippines at the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup and will no doubt be a huge asset for the All Stars as they bid to keep a star-studded Chelsea attack at bay.
AIDEEN KEANE
Keane becomes the latest Melbourne City star to join the squad after a standout 2025/26 Ninja A-League season.
The forward scored six goals and registered one assist for City as they completed the Ninja A-League Premiership/Championship double, starting 21 times in what was a truly memorable season for Michael Matricciani’s side.
A true menace in attack, Keane rarely gave her opponents an off-day in the Ninja A-League last season as she bagged important goals and won plenty of duels, a trait that no doubt appeals to All Stars Head Coach Jeff Hopkins.
Furthermore, Keane’s consistent performances across the season were reflected at the 2026 Dolan Warren Awards where she finished third in the race to win the Julie Dolan Medal.
LETICIA MCKENNA
The Melbourne City enjoyed a standout season in City Blue as she helped guide her side to the Ninja A-League Premiership/Championship double.
McKenna proved to be a valuable asset for Head Coach Michael Matricciani as she chipped in with five goals and two assists throughout the course of the season.
Playing 23 games in the 25/26 season, McKenna ranked right at the top end of the Ninja A-League stats columns when it came to chances created, touches and successful passes and she’ll now doubt prove to be a key figured in All Stars Head Coach Jeff Hopkins’ midfield.
GRACE JALE
Wellington Phoenix’s midfield general Grace Jale is in the All Stars squad, and it’s little surprise given the outstanding season she had with the Nix.
Not only did the Phoenix qualify for their first ever Finals Series but they went all the way to Grand Final in a season that saw them break records galore, and Jale was at the heart of it.
The towering midfielder started 22 of 22 games during the 25/26 season and the stats back up just what a brilliant individual campaign she had.
Jale showcased her full passing range, ranking right at the top when it came to successful passes and long balls whilst defensively she was immense; dominating the stats charts in tackles, interceptions and recoveries.
CHLOE LINCOLN
The second goalkeeper picked in the squad is none other than Matildas keeper and Brisbane Roar star Chloe Lincoln.
The 21-year-old enjoyed a stellar 2025/26 Ninja A-League season as she not only helped Brisbane Roar qualify for the finals series but also made her tournament debut for the Matildas at the 2026 AFC Asian Cup.
Lincoln has made eight appearances so far for Australia and is shaping as a future number one for the Matildas.
MAKALA WOODS
Adding some firepower to the squad will be Wellington Phoenix forward Makala Woods.
The US import joined the ‘Nix midway through the 2025/26 Ninja A-League season and hit the ground running, starting 13 of 15 matches to help Wellington qualify for the Finals Series for the first time in club history.
But that’s not all. Wellington made it all the way to the Ninja A-League Grand Final and Woods played a key part in getting them there as she ended the season with an incredible eight goals and five assists to her name.
CLAUDIA BUNGE
The All Stars have added some defensive steel to their backline, with Melbourne Victory’s Claudia Bunge the latest player picked.
Someone Head Coach Jeff Hopkins knows very well given their association at Victory, Bunge has established herself as one of the Ninja A-League’s best defenders over the last few seasons.
An experienced New Zealand international, Bunge is the perfect player to call upon as the All Stars prepare to come up against a powerful Chelsea attack.
SHELBY MCMAHON
One of Australia’s most exciting young talents, Melbourne City ace Shelby McMahon is the latest player to be named in the All Stars squad to face Chelsea.
Fresh off a campaign that saw her play 17 games, 15 of which were starts, McMahon’s class told throughout the season as she helped Michael Matricciani’s side win the Ninja A-League Premiership/Championship double!
The 18-year-old chipped in with four goals and one assist as she established herself as one of the key cogs in the City machine and she’ll add plenty of technical quality to Jef Hopkins’ squad.
COURTNEY NEWBON
The Melbourne Victory shotstopper and reigning Ninja A-League Goalkeeper of the Year has earned her spot in the squad after an excellent 2025-26 season.
Crowned the league’s best goalkeeper at the 2026 Dolan Warren Awards, Newbon played 23 games for Jeff Hopkins’ side last season, amassing a whopping 2070 minutes worth of football, second only to Wellington’s Ellie Walker.
Newbon kept seven clean sheets across the season, finished the campaign with a save percentage rate of 72.7% and made a whopping 72 saves across the entire 2025-26 season – second only to WSW keeper Sham Khamis (74).
PIA VLOK
The 2025-26 Ninja A-League Young Footballer of the Year, Pia Vlok has earned her spot in the All Stars squad after a standout season with Wellington Phoenix.
The 17-year-old started 18 of 22 games for Wellington last season, scoring six goals and registering four assists.
Vlok’s breakout season saw her become a central figure within Bev Priestman’s team as Wellington not only played finals football for the first time in their history but also qualified for a first ever Ninja A-League Grand Final.
REBEKAH STOTT
The Melbourne City Player of the Year and club captain earns selection following a remarkable 2025-26 campaign, helping lead City to an historic Premiership/Championship double while collecting a host of individual honours.
Stott captained Michael Matricciani’s side throughout another record-breaking season, as City claimed a third consecutive Premiership before defeating Wellington Phoenix 3-1 at AAMI Park to secure the Club’s first Championship trophy since 2020.
TAMEKA YALLOP
The Brisbane Roar ace and Matildas legend has been one of the most consistent players in the league since returning to Australia.
A fan favourite in the Ninja A-League, Yallop will bring quality and composure to the midfield as the All Stars look to overcome the WSL’s most dominant team.
Whilst her 2025-26 campaign was disrupted by injury, Yallop still played a key role in helping Brisbane Roar qualify for the Ninja A-League Finals Series, and she’ll be hoping to make a big impact in this game in preparation for the new season!
