Here are the seven defenders headed to France.

Gema Simon 

Junior club: Argenton
Club: Newcastle Jets (W-League)
Birthday: 19/07/1990
Hometown: Armidale
Caps: 11
Previous World Cups: None
Did you know: As a kid, she wanted to play rugby league but her parents wouldn’t let her.

Simon has been a constant presence in the Jets backline during the 2018/19 W-League season and only missed one match.

The 28-year-old has been in and around the squad since 2014 but it wasn't until 2017 that she became a regular player within the squad. She is a versatile player that can also play as a wide midfielder or winger.

Taken by Stephanie Meek (@stephaniemeekphotography)

Follow on: @gema.simon (Instagram)

Clare Polkinghorne

Junior club: Wynnum Wolves and Capalaba Bulldogs
Club: Brisbane Roar (W-League) and Houston Dash (NWSL)
Birthday: 1/02/1989
Hometown: Brisbane
Caps: 116
Previous World Cups: 2007, 2011, 2015
Did you know: Polkinghorne was the first player to reach both 100 Matildas caps and 100 W-League appearances.

After being an unused substitute during the 2015 World Cup after being injured ahead of her third World Cup, Polkinghorne comes into this side as one of the most experienced players.

She's been a valuable member for the Brisbane Roar and her performance over the last two seasons show that you never stop improving as a player.

The recent W-League season saw her lead Roar to second on the ladder, the teams second consecutive season finishing in the top two.

The 30-year-old also likes to score a cheeky goal with her most recent Matildas strike coming in a 1-1 draw with England in a friendly last year.

Taken by Stephanie Meek (@stephaniemeekphotography)

Follow on: @clarepolks89 (Twitter) and @polks89 (Instagram) 

Laura Alleway

Club: Melbourne Victory (W-League)
Birthday: 28/11/1989
Hometown: Templestowe
Caps: 60
Previous World Cups: 2011 and 2015
Did you know: She recently got engaged to her American-born boyfriend, who will be supporting the Matildas at the World Cup.

Alleway is one of three specialist central defenders in this Matildas squad. The 29-year-old is actually one of the veterans in the squad headed to France having played in two previous World Cups.

During the W-League season, the Victory player had a great season and was alongside fellow Matilda Teigen Allen in defence.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Feels good to be back!!! 💚💛⚽️ @thematildas

A post shared by Laura Alleway (@laura_alleway) on

Follow on: @LauraAlleway (Twitter) and @laura_alleway (Instagram)

Steph Catley 

Junior club: South East Cougars 
Club: Melbourne City (W-League) and Reign FC (NWSL)
Birthday: 26/01/1994
Hometown: Melbourne
Caps: 71
Previous World Cups: 2015
Did you know: She has a corgi called Bentley who has his own Instagram.

Unfortunately, it's been a bit of an up and down year and a bit for Catley with injury planning a large role. The 25-year-old spent a chunk of 2018 on the sidelines with an Achilles injury. 

Currently, she hasn't played in the NWSL this season being sidelined with a calf strain.

Catley made a successful return to playing after her Achilles injury in the recent W-League season and racked up 585 minutes of action across the campaign.

She will be a valuable member in the starting XI backline in France if she is able to overcome that calf strain.

Follow on: @stephcatley (Twitter) and @stephcatley (Instagram)