AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026

The AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 sees the Matildas return to grip the nation once again. Running from March 1 to 21, this prestigious tournament takes place in Australia for the second time, with games being hosted in Perth, Gold Coast and Sydney. 

The tournament is made up of 12 teams from Asia, including nine-time champions China PR alongside other hopefuls like DPR Korea, Japan and Korea Republic. 

Australia kicks off its campaign in the opening match of the tournament, taking on the Philippines at Perth Stadium.  Also up against Australia are Iran and Korea Republic – the team that knocked the Matildas out in the quarterfinals in the last AFC Women’s Asian Cup, held in India in 2022. So, an opportunity for revenge will come early for the home team. 

The only other time the competition was held in Australia, in 2006, the Matildas were losing finalists; in 2010, they won the tournament for the first time in China  (with a 16-year-old Sam Kerr in their line-up). Sixteen years later, Australia is ranked third in Asia and 16th in the world, making the Matildas among the top contenders for this 21st edition of the tournament. 

The AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 doubles as a qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, as well as the AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament, so there’s plenty at stake for all involved. 

As well as hosting the opening match and ceremony, Perth will host an additional six group matches featuring Japan, India, Vietnam, Chinese Taipei, Uzbekistan and Bangladesh, as well as two quarterfinals and one semifinal. And it’s not just Perth Stadium getting in on the action: Perth Rectangular Stadium will host matches as well. 

The Women’s Asian Cup was first held in 1975, when New Zealand won the tournament held in Hong Kong. Fifty-one years later, it’s a key event on the calendar of global women’s sport – our region in particular. 

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Tourism WA.