World Cup silver for Tamsin Colley

UNSW Elite Athlete Program member Tamsin Colley has helped the ParaMatildas claim silver at the 2026 IFCPF Women’s World Cup, scoring in Australia’s semi-final victory during a dominant campaign in Atlanta.

Australia came within minutes of taking the World Cup final into extra time, before a stoppage-time winner secured the United States a 3–2 victory. The result followed four commanding Australian wins, with the ParaMatildas scoring 50 goals without conceding on their way to the decider.

For Colley, the tournament included appearances in all three group matches and the semi-final, a starting role against Colombia and a goal against Finland as Australia secured its third consecutive World Cup final appearance. The UNSW defender also helped create Australia’s opening goal against Colombia, contributing at both ends of the pitch throughout the team’s progress to the final. “Playing for Australia in my debut World Cup was an absolute dream come true!” Colley said.

“I am so proud and grateful to have had this experience and for all the support along the way. It was so exciting to be part of the biggest ever Cerebral Palsy Football Women’s World Cup and compete overseas with my amazing teammates again.”

Arriving as defending champions following their 2024 triumph, the ParaMatildas opened their campaign with a comprehensive 19–0 victory over the Republic of Ireland.

Annmarie de Uriarte scored eight goals, Georgia Beikoff added four, Eloise Northam also finished with four and Carly Salmon scored a hat-trick. Colley entered the match in the 35th minute, replacing Tahlia Blanshard as Australia completed its opening clean sheet.

Head coach Charlotte Ercil changed the entire starting five for the second group match against Colombia, giving Colley a starting opportunity alongside Salmon, Trinity McPhie, Lainee Harrison and debutant Leah Spaine.

Colley was involved early, playing the ball centrally to McPhie, who struck from outside the penalty area to give Australia the lead in the 11th minute. McPhie added a second before half-time, with Beikoff scoring twice after coming off the bench and Spaine marking her international debut with four goals. The 8–0 victory demonstrated the depth of the Australian squad and maintained its perfect start.

Australia completed the group stage with a 13–0 win over the Netherlands to finish top of Group B. Introduced at half-time, Colley helped Australia see out another scoreless defensive performance as the attack continued to produce goals. De Uriarte scored five, McPhie added a hat-trick, Harrison and Katelyn Smith scored twice each, and Spaine also found the net.

The result sent Australia into the knockout stage with three wins, 40 goals scored and none conceded. The ParaMatildas carried that form into their semi-final against Finland, winning 10–0 to book another meeting with the United States. Salmon and de Uriarte scored four goals apiece, while Northam also contributed to the tally.

Colley entered in the 36th minute and added her own World Cup goal in the 47th, finishing from close range after a ball into the penalty area. Her strike was Australia’s ninth of the match, before de Uriarte completed the scoring in stoppage time. For Colley, it was a personal highlight within a team performance that ensured Australia would contest the final without having conceded a goal throughout the tournament.

The decider brought together the two nations that had contested both previous Women’s World Cup finals, with the United States winning in 2022 and Australia taking the title in 2024. Australia struck first through de Uriarte in the seventh minute. After Salmon was forced off through injury, replacement Beikoff doubled the advantage with a remarkable long-range finish, sending the ParaMatildas into half-time with a 2–0 lead.

The hosts responded through Catarina Guimarães in the 28th minute and equalised five minutes later through Kuhnel. With the scores still level in stoppage time, Annie Wickett’s deflected effort gave the United States the decisive goal. 

Australia finished with four wins from five matches, 52 goals scored and just three conceded. For Colley, a campaign featuring a starting appearance, involvement in an opening goal and a semi-final strike concluded with a World Cup silver medal.

“I look forward to what’s next!” Colley said.

UNSW congratulates Tamsin and her ParaMatildas teammates on their performances in Atlanta and another appearance in the tournament’s deciding match.