The AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 will get underway from March 1 to 21 in Australia.
This will be the 21st edition of the continent’s football tournament. The event returns to Australia after almost two decades where the tournament will be staged across five venues in Perth, Sydney and the Gold Coast .
The AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 will get rolling with the host taking on 2022 semi-finalists Philippines in Perth.
Japan (number seven in world rankings) is the highest ranked team to play in the tournament and are the only Asian team to have won a FIFA Women’s World Cup. They will be chasing their fourth continental title.
Bangladesh, the only AFC Women’s Asian Cup debutants in Australia and the lowest-ranked side in the field at world No. 128, face a tough introduction to the tournament against defending champions People’s Republic of China on March 2.
China, who have appeared in the semifinals in all the editions of AFC Women’s Asian Cup, are bidding for a record-extending 10th title in their 16th appearance.
South Korea, the three-time champions, return to the finals for the first time since 2010 when they finished as runners-up.
India has been drawn in Group C alongside Japan, Vietnam and Chinese Taipei in Group C. India are the lowest-ranked team in the group at world No. 70.
What is at stake?
Six teams, including the four semi-finalists, will qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup to be held in Brazil.
The four losing quarter-finalists will compete in the play-ins on March 19 for the remaining two confirmed spots.
The teams losing in the play-ins will have another opportunity to qualify through the inter-confederation play-offs.
AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026: Groups
Group A: Australia, Korea Republic, Iran, Philippines
Group B: North Korea, China, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan
Group C: Japan, Vietnam, India, Chinese Taipei
Also Read: AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026: How To Buy Tickets
AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026: Fixtures
All time local.
| Date | Match | Local Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 1, Sunday | Australia vs Philippines | 12:30 PM AWST | Perth Stadium |
| March 2, Monday | South Korea vs Iran | 2:30 PM AEST | Gold Coast Stadium |
| March 3, Tuesday | North Korea vs Uzbekistan | 8:30 AM AEDT | Western Sydney Stadium |
| March 3, Tuesday | China vs Bangladesh | 2:30 PM AEDT | Western Sydney Stadium |
| March 4, Wednesday | Japan vs Chinese Taipei | 7:30 AM AWST | Perth Rectangular Stadium |
| March 4, Wednesday | Vietnam vs India | 2:30 PM AWST | Perth Rectangular Stadium |
| March 5, Thursday | Philippines vs South Korea | 7:30 AM AEST | Gold Coast Stadium |
| March 5, Thursday | Iran vs Australia | 12:30 PM AEST | Gold Coast Stadium |
| March 6, Friday | Bangladesh vs North Korea | 7:30 AM AEDT | Western Sydney Stadium |
| March 6, Friday | Uzbekistan vs China | 2:30 PM AEDT | Western Sydney Stadium |
| March 7, Saturday | Chinese Taipei vs Vietnam | 7:30 AM AWST | Perth Rectangular Stadium |
| March 7, Saturday | India vs Japan | 2:30 PM AWST | Perth Rectangular Stadium |
| March 8, Sunday | Iran vs Philippines | 2:30 PM AEST | Gold Coast Stadium |
| March 8, Sunday | Australia vs South Korea | 3:30 PM AEDT | Stadium Australia |
| March 9, Monday | Bangladesh vs Uzbekistan | 12:30 PM AWST | Perth Rectangular Stadium |
| March 9, Monday | North Korea vs China | 3:30 PM AEDT | Western Sydney Stadium |
| March 10, Tuesday | Japan vs Vietnam | 12:30 PM AWST | Perth Rectangular Stadium |
| March 10, Tuesday | India vs Chinese Taipei | 3:30 PM AEDT | Western Sydney Stadium |
| March 13, Friday | QF1: 2A vs 2B | 1:30 PM AWST | Perth Rectangular Stadium |
| March 14, Saturday | QF2: 1B vs 2C | 8:30 AM AWST | Perth Rectangular Stadium |
| March 14, Saturday | QF3: 1A vs 3BC | 3:30 PM AEDT | Stadium Australia |
| March 15, Sunday | QF4: 1C vs 3AB | 11:30 AM AEDT | Stadium Australia |
| March 17, Tuesday | SF1: Winner QF1 vs Winner QF2 | 2:30 PM AWST | Perth Stadium |
| March 18, Wednesday | SF2: Winner QF3 vs Winner QF4 | 3:30 PM AEDT | Stadium Australia |
| March 19, Thursday | Play-off: Loser QF3 vs Loser QF4 | 8:30 AM AEST | Gold Coast Stadium |
| March 19, Thursday | Play-off: Loser QF1 vs Loser QF2 | 2:30 PM AEST | Gold Coast Stadium |
| March 21, Saturday | Final: Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2 | 3:30 PM AEDT | Stadium Australia |
