Just days out from their opening Women's World Cup match against the Republic of Ireland, the Matildas have released a video calling on FIFA to give women the same prize money as men.
The video, which was organised in partnership with their union, Professional Footballers Australia, features each of the 23 World Cup players speaking about the need to invest in their female players.
"Those that came before us showed us that being a Matilda means something," captain Sam Kerr says at the start of the video.
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"They showed us how to fight for recognition, validation, and respect."
In the video, the team lists several key dates that have paved the way for the conditions the current team enjoys, including their first Women's World Cup qualification in 1995.
"For us, this World Cup is a celebration of that progress that we've had to earn every step of the way," Alanna Kennedy says.
Charlotte Grant continues: "But we're not stopping now."
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The players then explain that on a global level, there is a lack of unions and collective bargaining agreements for women's national teams.
They also call out FIFA for offering just one quarter of the prize money given to the men's World Cup in Qatar last year.
"736 footballers have the honour of representing their countries on the biggest stage this tournament," Clare Wheeler says.
Clare Hunt added: "Yet many are still denied the basic right to organise and collectively bargain.
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"Collective bargaining has allowed us to ensure we now get the same conditions as the Socceroos, with one exception. Tameka Yallop jumps in with: FIFA will still only offer women one-quarter as much prize money as men for the same achievement.
Hayley Raso continues with: "We call on those in positions of power across football, business and politics to come on the journey with us to make women's football as big as it can be, here and around the world."
FIFA have pledged to equalise World Cup prize money for their two senior tournaments by 2027.
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PFA co-chief executive Kate Gill said: "The growth of women's sport, and women's football, has been phenomenal and the transformation of the Matildas' environment has been emblematic of that development over a very short period of time.
"But the players are acutely aware that much of that growth has been delivered through courageous actions by generations of players and that future progress will likely be driven by the players raising their voices again.
"There are many more improvements that can be achieved before women's football can truly achieve parity with men's football, and the current group of 23 players want to use their platform - and the platform of the World Cup - to accelerate further change, but importantly leave a legacy for future players."
In the video, the Matildas pledge to continue to advocate for themselves and future generations.
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"We know that, with the privilege of being a Matilda, comes enormous responsibility," Kyra Cooney-Cross says.
"We'll do everything we can to make the country proud when we take the field, and also to leave the shirt in a better place for those who follow in our footsteps," Kyah Simon says as the video ends.
Featured Image Credit: Chris Hyde/Getty Images. WANG ZHAO/Getty ImagesTopics: News, Sport, World News, Australia
