2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Host country | Australia |
| Dates | 1–21 March |
| Teams | 12 (from 1 confederation) |
| Venue(s) | 5 (in 3 host cities) |
← 2022 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.[1]
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.[2]
China are the defending champions.
Host selection
[edit]The following four football associations submitted their interest to host the tournament by the 31 July 2022 deadline.[3] 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.[4]
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
[edit]Saudi Arabia – On 21 April 2022, Saudi Arabia submitted its bid in hosting the tournament. The move came as a surprise, with its women's team having only played two first ever friendlies in February the same year after its inception in 2021. 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.[5] On 2 December, the Saudi delegation submitted its bid to host the 2026 edition.[6] On 23 February 2024, Saudi Arabia withdrew their bid.[7]
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.
Uzbekistan – The Central Asian nation submitted its interest on that same day. 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 also withdrew their bid.[7] The AFC ultimately awarded Uzbekistan the 2029 Women's Asian Cup hosting rights also on 15 May as the only bidder.[1]
Qualification
[edit]The host country Australia qualified automatically.
Qualified teams
[edit]The following twelve teams qualified for the tournament:
| Team | Method of qualification |
Date of qualification |
Finals appearance |
Last appearance |
FIFA Ranking | Previous best performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Australia |
Hosts | 15 May 2024 | 7th | 2022 | TBD | Champions (2010) |
Venues
[edit]Games will be held in venues across New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia.[8] The five selected venues were officially recommended for formal ratification by the AFC on 12 November 2024.[9]
| Australia | New South Wales | Queensland | Western Australia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stadium Australia, Sydney | Gold Coast Stadium | Perth Rectangular Stadium | |
| Capacity: 82,000 | Capacity: 27,690 | Capacity: 20,500 | |
|
|
| |
| Western Sydney Stadium | Perth Stadium | ||
| Capacity: 30,000 | Capacity: 65,000 | ||
|
|
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Australia and Uzbekistan confirmed as 2026 and 2029 AFC Women's Asian Cup hosts". AFC. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ^ "AFC unveils breakthrough reforms to strengthen Women's National Team Competitions". AFC. 13 September 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
- ^ "Four Member Associations express interest to host AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026". AFC. 1 August 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
- ^ "Australia and Uzbekistan recommended as hosts for 2026 and 2029 editions of AFC Women's Asian Cup". AFC. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia, Australia among four nations to bid for 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup". Inside the Games. 1 August 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia submits bid to host AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026". Arab News. 2 December 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
- ^ a b "Australia set to host 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup after others withdraw bids". Sportcal. 23 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ Nicholson, Paul (22 April 2024). "Aussies announce states to host Women's Asian Cup 2026". Inside World Football. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
- ^ Comino, Matt (13 November 2024). "Three host cities confirmed for 2026 Women's Asian Cup as five venues selected & dates locked in". the A-leagues. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
External links
[edit]- AFC Women's Asian Cup, the-AFC.com