Matildas and Socceroos to wear the same jersey for first time since 2019 with First Nations artist behind iconic Daniel Ricciardo helmet designing the new strips

The Matildas and Socceroos are set to wear matching kits for the first time since 2019 in a landmark collaboration with First Nations artist Reko Rennie. 

The new design, created by Kamilaroi artist Rennie, will debut when the Matildas compete in the SheBelieves Cup, with the official unveiling by Nike and Football Australia scheduled for February 21.

This marks the first time an Australian national football team’s playing kit has been designed by a First Nations artist. 

Rennie, known for his bold and contemporary approach to Indigenous art, has previously collaborated on sports apparel, including a one-off racing helmet for Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo in 2022.

A preview of the kit reveals that the anthem jacket features a striking combination of light green and dark green sleeves, accented by bold pops of pink along the shoulders. 

The main kit is expected to incorporate a chevron pattern in traditional Australian sporting colors of green and gold.

Nike Brand Director Nick Atkinson said extensive planning had gone into the project.

‘This is a really, really special one for sure,’ Atkinson said. 

‘It’s taken some time to get here, we’ve been looking for the right time to bring First Nations representation into the national team kits for a number of years, we just wanted to do it in the right way at the right time.’

Atkinson also emphasised the importance of storytelling in the kit’s design.

‘Storytelling is the defining characteristic of the references that are contained in the jersey in both the home kit and the away kit and the anthem jersey,’ Atkinson said. 

‘There’s no question the story is unity through cultural visibility, whether that’s the kind of bright bold colours in the kit, the chevron that’s about moving forward and the overarching design.’

‘The chevron pattern that’s used is commonly used on First Nations messaging sticks to carry messages between communities and what better medium for a message of unity than a football kit.’

Since 2019, the Matildas and Socceroos have worn different kits, with the Matildas sporting a teal away kit during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. 

The decision to bring both teams back under one design reflects Football Australia’s vision for unity.

Football Australia CEO James Johnson described the move as a statement of solidarity.

‘It is going to be a very important period for Australian football, we will see the Socceroos qualify for the World Cup in this uniform and in that same uniform we will see the Matildas compete at the Asian Cup,’ Johnson said.

The Matildas will debut the new kit at the SheBelieves Cup, which runs from February 19 to February 27, 2025. 

The tournament’s 10th edition features elite competition, including reigning Olympic champions and world number one, the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT), along with Japan and Colombia.

The Matildas’ schedule includes matches against Japan on February 20, USWNT on February 23, and Colombia on February 26. 

Johnson acknowledged the tournament’s importance for the Matildas’ long-term goals.

‘This is a tremendous opportunity for the CommBank Matildas to compete against some of the world’s best teams on an international platform,’ he said.

‘The SheBelieves Cup aligns with our vision to challenge the team in high-stakes environments as we continue to elevate the Matildas and build towards the next FIFA Women’s World Cup.’

Meanwhile, the Socceroos continue their journey toward the FIFA World Cup 2026, having advanced to the third round of Asian qualifying. 

They are competing in Group C alongside Japan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, China, and Indonesia. A top-two finish will secure direct qualification for the tournament.

The Socceroos had a dominant run in the second round, winning all six matches against Bangladesh, Lebanon, and Palestine. They scored 22 goals and did not concede a single one.

Head coach Graham Arnold is confident in the team’s potential to make an impact on the global stage.

‘I think we’re on the edge of doing something special. What really frustrated me after the Asian Cup and knocked me about was that I’m sick to death of the Socceroos being the hard-luck story of just getting beaten by a top nation,’ Arnold said.

‘For example, Argentina at the World Cup and then Mexico when we were up 2-0, England – a 1-0 loss when we could have or should have won – and then losing in the last minute against South Korea in the Asian Cup. I said to the boys that I’m sick of us being the hard-luck story.’

The Socceroos are aiming for a sixth consecutive World Cup appearance, having been a consistent presence on the world stage since 2006.