In March 2026, some of the best women’s footballers in the world will descend on Australian shores for one of the sport’s most important tournaments: the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
The 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup is the 21st edition of the premier women’s national team football competition in Asia, organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). It features the top women’s teams from across the continent battling for continental honours.
Importantly, this year’s competition is very important for two reasons. First of all, it’s the final stage of the Asian qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in Brazil. And secondly, for the first time, it also serves as a qualification pathway toward the 2028 Olympics.
It’s also special this year because we’re hosting it in Australia! It’s the second time the tournament has been held Down Under.
What is the AFC Women’s Asian Cup?
The 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup is the premier women’s international football tournament in Asia, run by the Asian Football Confederation.
First held in 1975, the tournament brings together Asia’s top national teams every four years. The 2026 edition will be the 21st staging of the competition.
When and where is the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup happening?
The tournament will run from 1 March to 21 March 2026, with 27 matches held across Sydney, Perth, and the Gold Coast. The final will be held in Sydney on 21 March.
What countries are competing?
Twelve national teams will compete in the 2026 tournament.
- Australia
- Japan
- China PR
- Korea Republic
- IR Iran
- India
- Bangladesh
- Vietnam
- Chinese Taipei
- Uzbekistan
- Philippines
- DPR Korea
The top two teams from each group, plus the two best third-place teams, progress to the quarter-finals.
Japan and China, in particular, have long histories of success in the competition; however, we’re of course going to be supporting the Tillys! Australia currently ranks third in Asia and 15th in the world.
Who is on the Matildas team?
Football legends Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler are returning to the Matildas following injuries. Sam had a back injury, and Mary recently recovered from an ACL injury she sustained in April 2025.
Eight footballers are making their Asian Cup debut, including Winonah Heatley, Clare Hunt, Kahli Johnson, Jamilla Rankin, Charlize Rule, Amy Sayer, Kaitlyn Torpey and Jada Whyman.
Here is who is on the squad and their positions:
- Mackenzie Arnold, Goalkeeper
- Jada Whyman, Goalkeeper
- Chloe Lincoln, Goalkeeper
- Ellie Carpenter, Defender
- Steph Catley, Defender
- Winonah Heatley, Defender
- Clare Hunt, Defender
- Alanna Kennedy, Defender
- Courtney Nevin, Defender
- Jamilla Rankin, Defender
- Charlize Rule, Defender
- Alex Chidiac, Midfielder
- Kyra Cooney-Cross, Midfielder
- Katrina Gorry, Midfielder
- Amy Sayer, Midfielder
- Emily van Egmond, Midfielder
- Clare Wheeler, Midfielder
- Caitlin Foord, Forward
- Mary Fowler, Forward
- Michelle Heyman, Forward
- Kahli Johnson, Forward
- Sam Kerr, Forward
- Holly McNamara, Forward
- Hayley Raso, Forward
- Remy Siemsen, Forward
- Kaitlyn Torpey, Forward
When are the first matches in the tournament?
The Asian Cup kicks off with the Matildas v Philippines on Sunday 1 March, 2026 in Perth Stadium at 5 pm AWST/8 pm AEDT. The opening ceremony will also feature a performance from K-pop Demon Hunters’ Audry Nuna.
The next Matildas game takes place on 5 March versus Iran at 7 pm AEST (8 pm AEDT) at the Gold Coast Stadium. The third rostered Matildas game will happen on 8 March against Korea at 8 pm AEDT, in Stadium Australia.
How are the Matildas doing in the Women’s Asian Cup?
So far in the tournament, the CommBank Matildas have finished second in their group. They beat the Philippines 1:0 (thanks to Sam Kerr’s excellent header in the first half), then beat Iran 4:0. Their final match against South Korea was a nailbiter. The Korean team knocked the Matildas out of the last Asian Cup, so we were all on the edge of our seats. It was a tough fight, but in the end, we tied: 3:3.
The Matildas next played in the quarter finals against DPR Korea, who also finished second in their Group. It is DPR Korea’s first time competing in the tournament since their defeat in the final in 2010. They were banned from the tournament following failed drug tests during the FIFA World Cup in 2011, they didn’t qualify in 2018, and withdrew in 2022. However, prior to that, DPR Korea were three-time champions of the Women’s Asian Cup in 2001, 2003, and 2008.
The match took place at the Perth Rectangular Stadium at 6 pm AWST / 9 pm AEDT on Friday 13, March 2026. It was a gritty performance; the Korean team gave Matildas’ goalie McKenzie Arnold a lot of work to do. But Sam Kerr and Alanna Kennedy each scored two beautiful goals to DPR Korea’s one.
So the Matildas are heading to the semi-finals and could go all the way!
Where can I buy tickets to the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup?
Tickets are on sale for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup on Ticketmaster.
How to watch the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia?
If you don’t snag a ticket to a match, you can watch them on Paramount+, which is the exclusive home of the tournament. However, you can watch all the CommBank Matildas matches on Channel 10!
