As the women's World Cup looms on the horizon for Australian football, these legendary Matildas have been left behind

Some Matildas pioneers have been left behind in the lead up to the World Cup.  (Getty Images: Jeff Cross)

There was a strange absence at the 100-day countdown to the FIFA Women's World Cup in Sydney this past week: There were no Matildas alumni, aside from Football Australia's head of the women's game, Matilda number 125 Sarah Walsh, who was there in an official capacity.

It's not as though they did not want to be there.