Matthew Mott, head coach of the Australian women's cricket team, joins FFA head of national performance Luke Casserly, ex-Matilda Julie Murray and AIS deputy director Darlene Harrison who will make their recommendation to the FFA board.

The FFA's head of women's football Emma Highwood is not part of the panel.

FFA CEO David Gallop said earlier this week that he hoped to appoint Stajcic's replacement within a fortnight, ahead of next month's Cup of Nations being hosted in Australia.

And today he laid out the criteria for the new coach.

"It is important our next Matildas coach has a proven record of success and is aligned to our national playing style, as well as being an ambassador for the game in Australia," he said today.

"As we approach an important time for the women's game in our country with the FIFA Women's World Cup in France later this year and a bid to host the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2023, it is our role to appoint a coach who understand the cultural behaviour and responsibilities that comes with this position, as well as having the highest football credentials to successfully manage the team on the pitch.

"I've spoken to our players and despite the circumstances, they are now focused on winning and building a culture of excellence that future generations of Matildas will benefit from."

He added: "As I said to the players at the workshop in Sydney this week, we want a coach who they are excited to play for and who they will learn from.

"Playing in a World Cup is a wonderful chance for them as a team but also as individual players they are in the shop window of world football and we want a coach who will give them every chance to shine.”

The current Junior Matildas coach Rae Dower is said to be a favourite for the post, reportedly backed by former Capital Football CEO and FFA board deputy chair, Heather Reid.

Dower led Canberra United to W-League Premiers success as coach in 2016/17, taking the title on goal difference over Perth Glory

Her Junior Matildas missed out on a chance to play in the U17s World Cup in Uruguay last year when they lost 7-0 to U16s world champions North Korea at an AFC U16s Championship in Thailand in 2017.

However they cruised through the first round of qualifying for the 2020 U17s World Cup, scoring 39 goals in four games at the group stage of last year's AFC U16s Championship in September..