The coach needs to lead Australia at the home 2026 Asian Cup and qualify and compete in the 2027 Women’s World Cup and 2028 Olympics.
The pair stopped momentarily to share a kiss, before joining the rest of the wedding party that included Van Egmond’s Matildas team-mate Sam Kerr and her pregnant fiancee Kristie Mewis.
‘The message has been loud and clear,’ Johnson said.
It ends a mixed year for the national side, after they failed to make it out of the group stages at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Johnson insists FA are deep into the recruiting process, including interviews and screenings, as they search for the right candidate.
Van Egmond, who moved to California in 2022, following a spell at the Jets, has previously opened up on her relationship with Thompson, telling New Idea: ‘I feel like she brings out a really good side of me. I’m very happy.’
That interim reign could continue into and beyond February’s SheBelieves Cup as FA contemplates candidates for the next four-year cycle.
Steph Catley, who signed a new deal to stay at Arsenal in September, smiled as she dazzled in a sleek gold dress
The Chelsea star is currently recovering from an ACL injury that could keep her out of action until March 2025.
Clare Polkinghorne, Foord, Mackenzie Arnold, Steph Catley, Lydia Williams and Hayley Raso (L-R) also dazzled as they posed for snaps at the venue
‘And if you want to get the right person there’s going to be some restrictions.’
Chelsea striker Kerr, 31, and West Ham midfielder Mewis, who hails from the US, flew over from Perth, where they had been spending time with the Matildas captain’s family over the Christmas period.
They are also on the hunt for a new caoch – and it is understood that the search for a new manager could drag on beyond February’s international window with Football Australia determined to take its time to appoint the right long-term candidate.
She and her partner Mewis, who plays for the US national side and West Ham, announced in November that they were expecting a baby and had flown back to Australia for Christmas.
‘We’ve done hundreds of screenings. And rest assured, we’ve talked to the right people, and we’ll continue to do so.’
The Matildas wrapped up their year with two wins against Chinese Taipei and two defeats by Brazil in Australia at the beginning of December.
The San Diego Wave star has enjoyed a glittering career, having made her first professional appearance for the Jets back in 2008.
‘We’ve looked under every rock,’ he said.
There remains no preference for either an Australian or foreign coach, with Johnson focused on securing the right, ‘tactically astute’, successful mentor who can get the best out of the Matildas.
She’d go on to be capped 153 times by the Matildas and with the midfielder starring for the side in three Olympic Games.
‘So we have a window in February, and then a window in April. I would hope we at least have confirmed who our coach is by one of those two windows, I hope.
Kerr was also pictured enjoying the day alongside her dad, Roger, as the Chelsea star wore a black dinner jacket, tie and shorts
Mannchester City and Australia star Alanna Kennedy (right) was also seen smiling as she wore a green top and black trousers
Former long-time mentor Tony Gustavsson departed in August and interim coach Tom Sermanni has led the Matildas in six friendlies since his appointment in September.
‘From the first date there’s never been holding back, it’s been so comfortable – as if I’ve known her a lot longer,’ she added.
Emily Van Egmond has married her partner Kat Thompson with so many of her Matildas teammates in attendance you could’ve been forgiven for thinking the entire side was present.
But Johnson noted there were still six women’s international windows in 2025, plus two before the Asian Cup in 2026 in which to prepare.
Kerr’s father, Roger, had also flown in from Western Australia for the wedding and was also spotted posing for a snap next to his daughter.
Hayley Raso, who has recently signed a two-year deal to join Tottenham, dazzled in a flowing blue dress while fellow Matildas stars, Alanna Kennedy and Steph Catley, also beamed with joy as they celebrated the happy couple.
Thompson and Van Egmond are understood to have met back in 2022 and announced they were publicly dating on Valentines Day in 2023
‘Just get the right person, get the best person.’
Kerr also shared a snap of the happy couple on her Instagram following the ceremony
Matildas stars Clare Polkinghorne, Mackenzie Arnold and Steph Catley were also in attendance, while, Lydia Williams who has just retired from international football following the Paris Games also posed for snaps, wearing a glamorous red and white dress.
