The squad will compete in Group A of qualifying in Beirut against hosts Lebanon, as well as Hong Kong and Mongolia.

Australia will need to top their group, or finish as one of the two best runners-up in the first stage of qualifying, to advance to the second round of the qualification process which will be held in April next year.

The ultimate prize is a spot at the  2020 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup. But to get there the Aussies will need to successfully navigate the two qualification tournaments and next year’s AFC U19 Women’s Championship in Thailand.

“This month’s tournament in Lebanon marks the start of our path to the 2020 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup,” van Egmond said.

“Some of the players in our squad, including Princess Ibini, Amy Sayer, and Rachel Lowe, have already featured at senior international level, while many others have been training with us regularly as part of the Future Matildas program.

“Almost all the players in our squad for Lebanon will benefit from involvement with Westfield W-League clubs across the country this season, which will support their development ahead of future qualifiers and tournaments with the Westfield Young Matildas."

The Young Matildas will depart Australia on Friday and play their first qualification match against Mongolia on Wednesday next week.

Australia will meet hosts Lebanon two days later, before rounding out the first phase of qualifying with a match against Hong Kong on Sunday, 28 October 2018.

All the matches this month will be played at the Jounieh Municipal Stadium in Beirut.

The Young Matildas squad:

Amy SAYER

Sydney FC, Australia

Annalee GROVE (Gk)

Brisbane Roar FC, Australia

Aoife COLVILL

Canberra United, Australia

Charlotte GRANT

Adelaide United, Australia

Courtney NEVIN

Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia

Emily HODGSON

Adelaide United, Australia

Indiah-Paige RILEY

Brisbane Roar FC, Australia

Jacynta GALABADAARACHCHI

Perth Glory FC, Australia

Kaitlyn TORPEY

Brisbane Roar FC, Australia

Karly ROESTBAKKEN

Canberra United, Australia

Kyra COONEY-CROSS

Melbourne Victory, Australia

Leticia MCKENNA

Perth Glory FC, Australia

MelindaJ BARBIERI

Melbourne Victory, Australia

Morgan AQUINO (Gk)

Perth Glory FC, Australia

Princess IBINI-ISEI

Sydney FC, Australia

Rachel LOWE

Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia

Sarah MORGAN

Canberra United Academy, Australia

Sofia SOKALIS

Melbourne City FC, Australia

Susan PHONSONGHAM

Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia

Taylor RAY

Sydney FC, Australia

Teresa MORRISSEY (Gk)

Melbourne Victory, Australia

Tori TUMETH

Sydney University, Australia

Winonah HEATLEY

Brisbane Roar FC, Australia

Match schedule:

Westfield Young Matildas v Mongolia
Date: Wednesday, 24 October 2018
Venue: Jounieh Municipal Stadium, Beirut
Kick-off: 11.30am (local); 7.30pm (AEDT)

Lebanon v Westfield Young Matildas
Date: Friday, 26 October 2018
Venue: Jounieh Municipal Stadium, Beirut
Kick-off: 3.30pm (local); 11.30pm (AEDT)

Westfield Young Matildas v Hong Kong
Date: Sunday, 28 October 2018
Venue: Jounieh Municipal Stadium, Beirut
Kick-off: 11.30am (local); 7.30pm (AEDT)