Latest World Cup ‘feels real’ for Australia and West Ham United keeper Arnold | OneFootball

Australia and West Ham United goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold says that it finally feels like she has arrived at a FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Arnold is set to represent The CommBank Matildas at a third FIFA Women’s World Cup, however, this is the first tournament where she is expected to be the nation’s number one.

When speaking in an interview with Football Australia Media, Arnold said that her World Cup dreams finally feel real this year.

“I think this one feels a lot more real to me,” Arnold said. “The last two have been more learning roles for me being the third and second-choice keeper. Being in the mix for this one, hopefully, I’ll get some game time.

“It’s really real for me. It has been a bit of a mountain to climb to be here but it’s peaking at the right time so I’m excited to get going.”

Arnold has recorded back-to-back clean sheets in Australia’s warm-up games against England and France and the player admits that her confidence is growing ahead of the tournament.

She said “I feel good. Obviously, coming off the WSL season, I hadn’t played for a while so it was important for me to get that performance under my belt (against France). Yes, it definitely helped getting a clean sheet and thankfully, I didn’t have much to do thanks to the back-line.

“The last couple of months have been a bit of a whirlwind to take in but I’m starting to feel confident. I feel like I belong in there, the girls are really helping me and it is really helping with my confidence and my consistency.”

Australia kick-off their home FIFA Women’s World Cup with a group match against the Republic of Ireland in Sydney on Thursday morning.