2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup#Group B
{{Infobox international football competition
| tourney_name = AFC Women's Asian Cup
| year = 2026
| other_titles =
| image =
| dates = 1–21 March
| country = Australia
| city =
| num_teams = 12
| confederations = 1
| venues = 5
| cities = 3
| champion =
| count =
| second_other =
| third_other =
| fourth_other =
| matches =
| goals =
| attendance =
| top_scorer =
| player =
| fair_play =
| prevseason = 2022
| nextseason = 2029
}}
The 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup will be the 21st edition of the AFC Women's Asian Cup, the quadrennial international football tournament in Asia competed by the women's national teams in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Australia was officially ratified as the host nation by the AFC Women's Football Committee on 15 May 2024.{{cite news |title=Australia and Uzbekistan confirmed as 2026 and 2029 AFC Women's Asian Cup hosts |url=https://www.the-afc.com/en/about_afc/afc_congress/news/australia_and_uzbekistan_confirmed_as_2026_and_2029_afc_womens_asian_cup_hosts.html |access-date=17 May 2024 |publisher=AFC}}
The final tournament will serve as the final stage of Asian qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil. This will be the last time the qualifications will be linked, as a standalone qualifier for the FIFA Women's World Cup will be held starting from the 2031 edition onwards. For the first time, the final tournament will also serve as the penultimate stage of Asian qualification for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, with all eight quarter-finalists qualifying for the 2028 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament.{{cite web |title=AFC unveils breakthrough reforms to strengthen Women's National Team Competitions |url=https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/afc_competitions/news/afc_unveils_breakthrough_reforms_to_strengthen_womens_national_team_competitions.html |publisher=AFC |access-date=14 September 2024|date=13 September 2024}}
China are the defending champions.
Host selection
{{main|2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup bids}}
The following four football associations submitted their interest to host the tournament by the 31 July 2022 deadline.{{cite news|url=https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_womens_asian_cup/news/four_member_associations_express_interest_to_host_afc_women%E2%80%99s_asian_cup%E2%84%A2_2026.html |title=Four Member Associations express interest to host AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026|publisher=AFC|date=1 August 2022|access-date=1 August 2022}} Australia was selected as the host nation by the AFC Women's Football Committee on 15 March 2024 following the withdrawals of Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan.{{cite news|url=https://www.the-afc.com/en/about_afc/committees/news/australia_and_uzbekistan_recommended_as_hosts_for_2026_and_2029_editions_of_afc_womens_asian_cup.html|title=Australia and Uzbekistan recommended as hosts for 2026 and 2029 editions of AFC Women's Asian Cup|publisher=AFC|date=15 March 2024|access-date=15 March 2024}}
- {{Flagicon|AUS}} Australia – Australia submitted its interest in hosting the tournament also on 31 July. The country has previously hosted the 2006 AFC Women's Asian Cup, where they finished runners-up. Australia also hosted the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup alongside New Zealand, which is the first FIFA Women's World Cup to be hosted by two nations. The country also hosted the Men's 2015 AFC Asian Cup.
=Cancelled bids=
- {{Flagicon|JOR}} Jordan – Jordan previously hosted the 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup, where they finished bottom of the group stage. Jordan also hosted the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, the first in an Arab country.
- {{Flagicon|KSA}} Saudi Arabia – On 21 April 2022, Saudi Arabia submitted its bid in hosting the tournament. Saudi Arabia has never hosted any major women's football tournament, although it hosted the men's FIFA Confederations Cup from 1992 to 1997 and will host the men's Asian Cup in 2027.{{cite news |title=Saudi Arabia, Australia among four nations to bid for 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1126480/afc-asian-cup |access-date=3 August 2022 |work=Inside the Games |date=1 August 2022}} On 2 December, the Saudi delegation submitted its bid to host the 2026 edition.{{cite news |date=2 December 2022 |title=Saudi Arabia submits bid to host AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2209641/sport |website=Arab News |accessdate=10 December 2022}} On 23 February 2024, Saudi Arabia withdrew their bid.{{cite news |title=Australia set to host 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup after others withdraw bids |url=https://www.sportcal.com/event/australia-set-to-host-2026-afc-womens-asian-cup-after-others-withdraw-bids/ |access-date=24 February 2024 |work=Sportcal |date=23 February 2024}}
- {{Flagicon|UZB}} Uzbekistan – The Central Asian nation submitted its interest on 21 April 2022. The country had never hosted a major women's football tournament before, though it has played in the women's Asian Cup five times. The country has hosted various men's youth competitions, such as the 2008 and 2010 AFC U-16 Championships, the 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup and the 2023 AFC U-20 Asian Cup. On 23 February 2024, Uzbekistan withdrew their bid. The AFC ultimately awarded Uzbekistan the 2029 Women's Asian Cup hosting rights, as the sole bidder.
Qualification
{{Main|2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup qualification}}
The host country Australia qualified automatically, along with the top three teams from the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup.{{cite web|title=Asian Football powerhouses qualify for AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026|url=https://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news/asian-football-powerhouses-qualify-afc-womens-asian-cup-australia-2026tm|publisher=Football Australia|access-date=23 December 2024|date=19 December 2024}}
File:2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup qualification map.svg member}}]]
=Qualified teams=
{{table alignment}}
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders sticky-header col4center col5center col6center" | ||||||
| scope="col" |Team
! scope="col" |Method of ! scope="col" |Date of ! scope="col" data-sort-type="number"|Finals ! scope="col" |Last ! scope="col" |FIFA Ranking ! scope="col" |Previous best | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| {{fbw|AUS}} | {{sort|*|Hosts}} | {{sort|03|15 May 2024}} | 7th | 2022 | 15 | {{sort|01|Champions}} (2010) |
| {{fbw|CHN}} | {{nowrap|{{sort|2|2022 champions}}}} | {{sort|02|18 December 2024}} | 16th | 2022 | 17 | {{nowrap|{{sort|01|Champions}} (1986, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2006, 2022)}} |
| {{fbw|KOR}} | {{sort|3|2022 runners-up}} | {{sort|03|18 December 2024}} | 14th | 2022 | 21 | {{sort|02|Runners-up}} (2022) |
| {{fbw|JPN}} | {{sort|4|2022 third place}} | {{nowrap|{{sort|04|18 December 2024}}}} | 18th | 2022 | 7 | {{sort|01|Champions}} (2014, 2018) |
| {{fbw|BAN}} | {{nowrap|Group C winners}} | {{sort|05|2 July 2025}} | 1st | {{N/A}} | 128 | {{sort|99|Debut}} |
| {{fbw|PHI}} | Group G winners | {{sort|06|5 July 2025}} | 11th | 2022 | 41 | {{sort|05|Semi-finals}} (2022) |
| {{fbw|VIE}} | Group E winners | {{sort|07|5 July 2025}} | 10th | 2022 | 37 | {{sort|06|Sixth place}} (2014, 2022) |
| {{fbw|IND}} | Group B winners | {{sort|08|5 July 2025}} | 10th | 2022 | 70 | {{sort|02|Runners-up}} (1979, 1983) |
| {{nowrap|{{fbw|TPE}}}} | Group D winners | {{sort|09|5 July 2025}} | 15th | 2022 | 42 | {{sort|01|Champions}} (1977, 1979, 1981) |
| {{fbw|PRK}} | Group H winners | {{sort|10|5 July 2025}} | 11th | 2010 | 9 | {{nowrap|{{sort|01|Champions}} (2001, 2003, 2008)}} |
| {{fbw|UZB}} | Group F winners | {{sort|11|5 July 2025}} | 6th | 2003 | 51 | {{nowrap|{{sort|12|Group stage}} (1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003)}} |
| {{fbw|IRN}} / {{fbw|JOR}} / {{fbw|BHU}} | {{nowrap|Group A winners}} | {{sort|12|19 July 2025}} |
{{notelist}}
Venues
Games will be held in venues across New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia.{{cite news|url=https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2024/04/22/aussies-announce-states-host-womens-asian-cup-2026/ |title=Aussies announce states to host Women's Asian Cup 2026|first=Paul|last=Nicholson|website=Inside World Football|date=22 April 2024|access-date=23 April 2024}} The five selected venues were officially recommended for formal ratification by the AFC on 12 November 2024.{{Cite web |first=Matt|last=Comino|title=Three host cities confirmed for 2026 Women's Asian Cup as five venues selected & dates locked in|url=https://aleagues.com.au/news/venues-confirmed-2026-womens-asian-cup-sydney-perth-gold-coast/|date=13 November 2024 |access-date=13 November 2024 |website=the A-leagues}}
On 27 February 2025, one year before the start of the tournament, Football Australia confirmed the opening game would be held at Perth Stadium, and final held at Stadium Australia.{{Cite web |date=27 February 2025 |title=Perth to host Matildas in Women's Asian Cup opener |url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/soccer/womens-asian-cup-optus-stadium-to-host-matildas-in-tournament-opener-in-2026-c-17866186 |access-date=27 February 2025 |website=The West Australian |language=en}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!Australia !{{nowrap|Sydney, New South Wales}} !{{nowrap|Gold Coast, Queensland}} !{{nowrap|Perth, Western Australia}} |
| rowspan="6" |{{location map+|Australia|float=middle|width=350|caption=|places={{location map~ | Australia|lat_deg=-31.95|lon_deg=115.86|label=Perth |position=right}}
{{location map~ | Australia|lat_deg=-28|lon_deg=153.4|label=Gold Coast |position=left}} {{location map~ | Australia|lat_deg=-33.87|lon_deg=151.2|label=Sydney |position=left}}}} |
|---|
| Capacity: 79,500
|Capacity: 28,000 |Capacity: 19,500 |
| 190x190px |
| Western Sydney Stadium
| rowspan="3" |Note: table shows AFC's stated capacities; |
| Capacity: 30,000
|Capacity: 60,000 |
| 190x190px |
Draw
The draw is scheduled to be held on 29 July 2025 at the Sydney Town Hall in Sydney.{{cite web|title=Venue and date for AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 Final Draw confirmed|url=https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/afc_news.html/news/venue-and-date-for-afc-women%E2%80%99s-asian-cup-australia-2026%E2%84%A2-final-draw-confirmed|website=the-AFC|publisher=Asian Football Confederation|access-date=19 May 2025|date=14 May 2025}}
For the first time in the tournament's history, seeding will be based on the latest FIFA Women's World Ranking at the time of the draw. Previously, the teams were seeded according to their performance in the previous final tournament and qualification rankings.{{cite web | url=https://www.the-afc.com/en/about_afc/committees/news/afc_women%E2%80%99s_football_committee_approves_afc%E2%80%99s_world-class_competitions%E2%80%99_roster.html | title=AFC Women's Football Committee approves AFC's world-class competitions' roster | publisher=AFC | date=5 February 2022 | access-date=4 February 2025}}
| class="wikitable" |
| style="width:25%" | Pot 1
! style="width:25%" | Pot 2 ! style="width:25%" | Pot 3 ! style="width:25%" | Pot 4 |
|---|
* {{fbw|AUS}} (15) (hosts)
|
|
|
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Squads
{{Main article|2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup squads}}
Each team has to register a squad of a minimum of 18 players and maximum of 23 players, at least three of whom must be goalkeepers (Regulations Article 26.3).
Group stage
=Group A=
{{2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup group tables|Group A}}
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=Group B=
{{2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup group tables|Group B}}
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=Group C=
{{2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup group tables|Group C}}
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=Ranking of third-place teams=
{{2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup group tables|3rd place}}
Knockout round
=Bracket=
{{#invoke:RoundN|N8
|3rdplace=no|bold_winner=high
|widescore=yes|style=white-space:nowrap
| {{Start date|2026|3|14|df=y}} – Sydney (SA) | Group A Winner | | Group B/C Third Place |
| {{Start date|2026|3|15|df=y}} – Sydney (SA) | Group C Winner | | Group A/B Third Place |
| {{Start date|2026|3|14|df=y}} – Perth (PRS) | Group B Winner | | Group C Runner-up |
| {{Start date|2026|3|13|df=y}} – Perth (PRS) | Group A Runner-up | | Group B Runner-up |
| {{Start date|2026|3|18|df=y}} – Sydney (SA) | Quarter final 1 Winner | | Quarter final 3 Winner |
| {{Start date|2026|3|17|df=y}} – Perth (PS) | Quarter final 2 Winner | | Quarter final 4 Winner |
| {{Start date|2026|3|21|df=y}} – Sydney (SA) | Semi final 1 Winner | | Semi final 2 Winner |
}}
{{#invoke:RoundN|N8
|style=white-space:nowrap
| boldwinners = high
| skipmatch = 1-4;7
| omit_blanks = yes
| no_column_head = yes
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|
inter-confederation play-offs
{{Start date|2026|3|19|df=y}} – Gold Coast | | | |
| {{Start date|2026|3|19|df=y}} – Gold Coast | | | |
}} }}
=Quarter-finals=
The winners will qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. The losers will advance to the play-in matches.
{{football box
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| date = {{Start date|2026|3|13|df=y}}
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| team1 =Group A runner-up
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| stadium = Perth Rectangular Stadium
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----
{{football box
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| date = {{Start date|2026|3|14|df=y}}
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| team1 =Group A winner
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| report =
| stadium = Stadium Australia
| location = Sydney
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----
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| date = {{Start date|2026|3|14|df=y}}
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| report =
| stadium = Perth Rectangular Stadium
| location = Perth
| referee =
}}
----
{{football box
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| date = {{Start date|2026|3|15|df=y}}
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| team1 =Group C winner
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| goals1 =
| goals2 =
| report =
| stadium = Stadium Australia
| location = Sydney
| referee =
}}
=Play-in matches=
The winners will qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. The losers will advance to the inter-confederation play-offs.
{{football box
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| date = {{Start date|2026|3|19|df=y}}
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----
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=Semi-finals=
{{football box
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| date = {{Start date|2026|3|17|df=y}}
| time =
| team1 =Quarter final 2 Winner
| score =
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| goals1 =
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| report =
| stadium = Perth Stadium
| location = Perth
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}}
----
{{football box
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| date = {{Start date|2026|3|18|df=y}}
| time =
| team1 =Quarter final 1 Winner
| score =
| team2 =Quarter final 3 Winner
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| goals2 =
| report =
| stadium = Stadium Australia
| location = Sydney
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=Final=
{{football box
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| date = {{Start date|2026|3|21|df=y}}
| time =
| team1 =Semi final 1 Winner
| score =
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| goals1 =
| goals2 =
| report =
| stadium = Stadium Australia
| location = Sydney
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| attendance =
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Qualified teams for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup
The following six teams from AFC will qualify for the 2027 Women's World Cup. Two more teams may qualify via the inter-confederation play-offs.{{Cite web |date=11 December 2024 |title=FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027 dates confirmed |url=https://inside.fifa.com/organisation/fifa-council/media-releases/fifa-womens-world-cup-brazil-2027-dates-confirmed |access-date=13 February 2025}}
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Team
! Qualified on ! data-sort-type="number"|Previous appearances in FIFA Women's World Cup{{efn|group="qual"|Bold indicates champions for that year. Italic indicates hosts for that year.}} |
|---|
| TBD || {{dts|2026|3|13||addkey=1|format=dmy}} ||
|- | TBD || {{dts|2026|3|14||addkey=2|format=dmy}} || |- | TBD || {{dts|2026|3|14||format=dmy}} || |- | TBD || {{dts|2026|3|15||format=dmy}} || |- | TBD || {{dts|2026|3|19||format=dmy}} || |- | TBD || {{dts|2026|3|19||format=dmy}} || |} {{notelist|group="qual"}} References{{Reflist}} External links
{{AFC Women's Championship}} {{2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Afc Women's Asian Cup 2026}} Category:2025–26 in Australian women's soccer Category:2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification |