Why Matildas fans can't buy goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold's jersey

Mackenzie Arnold may be an Aussie star after her penalty shoot-out heroics against France, but Nike policy means fans wishing to display their support for the Matildas goalkeeper can't buy her jersey.

Arnold saved three penalties as Australia beat France in the quarter-finals of the Women's World Cup on Saturday to set up a semi-final against England in Sydney on Wednesday.

But Matildas supporters wishing to buy Arnold's No.18 jersey are unable to do so, because the manufacturer has not made them available for sale.

While the home and away strips of all 20 outfield Matilda players are available, goalkeeper jerseys aren't on sale.

That means fans wanting to purchase Arnold's jersey - or that of squad goalkeepers Teagan Micah and Lydia Williams - have to settle for their name and number on the back of a green and gold or blue jersey.

Conversely, goalkeeper jerseys for men's team and both international and club levels are available for sale on both Nike and Adidas websites.

The Matildas aren't the only team affected by the issue, as Nike hasn't made goalkeepers jerseys available across any of the teams it manufactures kits for.

Nor is the US giant alone in adopting the policy, as Adidas has also not made goalkeeper jerseys available for purchase.

A petition highlighting the issue and looking to convince Adidas and Nike to change their stance has gathered almost 40,000 signatures at the time of writing.

Former England international Carly Telford took to social media to point out the absurdity of the situation after three goalkeepers were named Player of the Match in their Round of 16 matches.

'Feel like the Goalkeepers took this issue personally and are saying look what your all missing out on… AND IM HERE FOR IT,' she wrote on X the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

Telford's post was accompanied by the hashtag #SELLTHESHIRTS, which has been used by fans protesting Nike and Adidas' decision.

Nike said the decision had been made after discussions with the individual federations and FIFA 'to determine what assortment and particular player jerseys go on sale based on several factors, including demand in some markets.'

Ahead of the World Cup, England goalkeeper Mary Earps hit out at Nike’s ‘hugely hurtful’ decision not to put her goalkeeper shirt on sale for a second tournament running.

Fans were unable to buy Earps’ kit during last summer’s Euros but the Manchester United shot-stopper had been told the issue would be resolved ahead of the World Cup.

But Earps, who was named The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper for 2022, discovered she had been left out of promotional pictures when the Lionesses World Cup kit was launched in April and that her shirt would once again not be available.

Earps raised the issue with Nike and even offered to fund the production herself but was told this would not be possible.

‘I can’t really sugarcoat this any way so I’m not going to try, it’s hugely disappointing and very hurtful,’ she told Mail Sport last month.

‘It’s something that I’ve been fighting behind closed doors. I’ve been desperately trying to find a solution with the FA and with Nike.

‘Unfortunately it’s become very evident that is not possible and there’s not going to be an acceptable solution for the young kids out there.

'On a personal level it’s obviously hugely hurtful, considering the last 12 months especially.'