As the countdown begins to one of the most highly anticipated tournaments in women’s football, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) proudly announce the official match schedule for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026. With the tournament just over a year away, the excitement is palpable as fans, players, and teams alike prepare for an unforgettable experience.
A Continental Showpiece Comes to Life
Scheduled to take place from March 1 to 21, 2026, the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 promises to be an electrifying celebration of women’s football. Twelve teams from across the continent will converge on three vibrant host cities – Sydney, Perth, and Gold Coast – each boasting spectacular venues that will provide the perfect backdrop for the action on the pitch.
Iconic Venues Take Centre Stage
The stunning Perth Stadium, with its 60,000-capacity, will serve as the stage for the tournament’s opening match, as hosts Australia kick off their quest for glory on home soil. Meanwhile, the iconic Stadium Australia in Sydney, which hosted the unforgettable FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Final, will provide the setting for the grand finale on March 21, where the Asian champions will be crowned.
A Feast of Football Across Three Cities
Perth Stadium will also host one Semi-final on March 17, ensuring fans in the City of Lights have much to look forward to. The Perth Rectangular Stadium, which successfully hosted five matches during the FIFA Women’s World Cup, will feature six Group Stage clashes, as well as two highly anticipated Quarter-finals on March 13 and 14.
Gold Coast Stadium will play host to four Group Stage encounters, including the Matildas’ second match on March 5. The venue will also witness two crucial play-off matches on March 19, as the four losing Quarter-finalists face off, with the winners qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.
Sydney’s Stadium Australia will take centre stage as it hosts Australia’s third and final Group Stage battle on March 8. The 79,500-capacity stadium will continue to stage crucial fixtures throughout the competition, including two Quarter-finals, a Semi-final, and the all-important Final.
The picturesque Western Sydney Stadium, home of the Western Sydney Wanderers, will also host six Group Stage matches, offering fans even more opportunities to witness world-class football in an electric setting.
The Road to the Final Draw
The match pairings and kick-off times will be confirmed following the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 Final Draw, which is set to take place later this year after the conclusion of the Qualifiers. Eight teams will advance from the Qualifiers, joining the four teams that have already secured their spot – Australia, China PR, Korea Republic, and Japan.
Celebrating the One-Year Countdown
To mark the one-year countdown, the host cities Down Under revelled in festivities, with cultural programmes featuring artists from China PR, Japan, and Korea Republic offering fans a taste of Asia’s unique diversity. A giant football puzzle, designed to showcase the qualified teams, was unveiled across Kurrawa Terrace in Gold Coast, Scarborough Beach Amphitheatre in Perth, and Hickson Reserve in Sydney.
As the anticipation builds, fans can look forward to an unforgettable AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026. With its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and passion for football, Australia is set to provide the perfect stage for this continental showpiece.
