The 2026 edition of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup promises to be bolder and better, as it will be held across five venues in three host cities in Australia in March. A total of 27 games will be played at the Perth Stadium, Perth Rectangular Stadium, Gold Coast Stadium, Western Sydney Stadium, and Accor Stadium.
12 teams will compete in this continental tournament, as South Korea, Iran, the Philippines, North Korea, China, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Japan, Vietnam, India, and Chinese Taipei join hosts Australia. They will be divided into three groups, with the Top 2 seeds automatically advancing to the knockouts, while only two (out of the three) of the best-ranked third placers will join them in the quarter-finals.
As if the stakes weren’t big enough, this competition doubles as qualifiers for the World Cup 2027 in Brazil and also the precursor to qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California.
Australia bring out their best guns
Australia will essentially keep the same core when they host the AFC Women’s Asian Cup only for the second time. Matildas head coach Joe Montemurro will have Sam Kerr – the Matildas’ all-time leading scorer with 69 goals – as his skipper, and he recalled Mary Fowler for the first time since April 2025, despite some lingering concerns about her fitness following a torn ACL. Veterans Steph Catley and Ellie Carpenter are also present and were named vice-captains in the national team. Emily van Egmond was also named in the squad, and the 32-year-old midfielder is five appearances away from being the most capped player in Matildas history, surpassing Clare Polkinghorne.
The Matildas are seeking a second Asian Cup triumph, which they last won in 2010. This tournament and next year’s World Cup in Brazil could be among the last major tournaments for the bulk of their squad, as most of them featured in the 2023 World Cup in Australia, so this will be their “Last Dance” of sorts.
They are in Group A alongside South Korea, Iran, and the Philippines, and they will commence their campaign against the Filipinas on March 1 in Perth. Despite their superior quality, Australia cannot underestimate their SEA counterparts.
Philippines will represent with SEA region with pride
Speaking of the Filipinas, they are considered one of the tournament’s dark horses, following their most recent triumph. Last December, the Philippines won their first SEA Games gold in women’s football, beating powerhouses Thailand and Vietnam during the knockouts.
Head coach Mark Torcaso remains at the helm, and he has done a superb job since replacing Alen Stajcic, the coach who brought them to the Women’s World Cup, in 2023. Torcaso recently unveiled the Filipinas squad during their local send-off event, mixed with some intriguing young talent and battle-tested veterans.
Goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel and forwards Mallie Ramirez and Alexa Pino will be at the forefront of their AFC Women’s Asian Cup campaign, following their exploits during last year’s SEA Games. McDaniel’s crucial saves helped the Philippines win gold for the first time, while Ramirez and Pino were the team’s leading scorers in the tournament. Other members of the squad include Nina Meollo, Leah Bradley, Angela Beard, Malea Cesar, Jessica Cowart, Janae DeFazio, Kaya Hawkinson, skipper Hali Long, Sophia Wunsch, Ariana Markey, Jourdyn Curran, Sara Eggesvik, Carleigh Frilles, Jael-Marie Guy, Natalie Oca, Bella Pasion, Jaclyn Sawicki, Ava Villapando, Alex Cario, Anicka Castaneda, Katrina Guillou, Chandler McDaniel, and Paige McSwingan.
The Philippines are one of the fastest-rising teams on the continent, and they’re keen to surpass their semi-finals finish in 2022.
China gunning for title No. 10
The SBOTOP AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 odds have China as one of the tournament’s favourites. The Steel Roses are grouped alongside North Korea, Bangladesh, and Uzbekistan, so they should have a positive run of AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 results.
Ante Milicic’s side is determined to deliver title No. 10, and they just held their training camp in Shenzhen last month. They used the camp to regain their bearings, following a chastening 8-0 loss to England in a friendly at Wembley Stadium last November. This tournament will be his first major competition as China’s head coach since his appointment in May 2024. China’s team is stacked with talent in all positions. Captain Wu Haiyan, who might make her final appearance in the competition, is expected to partner Wang Linlin in central defence, with Li Mengwen and Chen Qiaozhu as their full-backs. Other notable selections include Yuan Cong, Wang Ying, and Dijon-based forwards Wu Chengshu and Wang Yanwen.
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