29 Jul 2025

AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ match schedule confirms spectacular battles

Images: Final Draw Images | Match Schedule: Final match schedule

Australia will open the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ in front of a packed Perth Stadium on 1 March, taking on the Philippines in a blockbuster tournament opener.

The match will mark Australia’s 35th appearance since joining the AFC in 2006, and the 380th game in the history of the tournament. A capacity crowd of 60,000 is expected to kick off a month-long celebration of the women’s game.

The full stage is now officially set for the Continent’s showpiece of women’s football to be played across Perth, Gold Coast and Sydney, following Tuesday evening’s spectacular Final Draw at the iconic Sydney Town Hall.

With the path to glory revealed for all 12 contenders, the AFC and Local Organising Committee (LOC) have confirmed the official match schedule — available here.

Returning 20 years after Australia first hosted the tournament in 2006, the 21st edition of the Finals promises to be one of the biggest and most exciting yet.

Spectacular battles to look out for

China PR v Bangladesh: The 23rd debutant team in AFC Women’s Asian Cup history, as well as the only debutant at Australia 2026, Bangladesh arguably could not have asked for a tougher first-ever match as they go up against defending champions and nine-time winners China PR on March 3 at 7pm at the Western Sydney Stadium.

Having registered neither a goal nor a point in their two previous qualifying campaigns prior to the current one, the South Asians succeeded in remarkable fashion on their third try by winning all three Group C matches to seal their berth in style and will not be cowed come March despite being the lowest FIFA-ranked side of the 12 teams.

At the other end of the spectrum, powerhouses China PR are gunning for back-to-back crowns after ending a 16-year title drought in 2022, which would also extend their record haul to 10 trophies. This will be their 16th Finals appearance—achieved in consecutive fashion—and the Steel Roses are also the only side to have never placed outside of the top four.

DPR Korea v Uzbekistan: Two teams making long-awaited returns to the Continent’s biggest stage will go head-to-head on March 3 as the Western Sydney Stadium provides the backdrop for the 1pm kick-off between DPR Korea and Uzbekistan.

Set for their 11th Finals involvement but the first since 2010, three-time champions DPR Korea (2001, 2003, 2008) will relish their chances of claiming another crown and can call on talent from their youth teams, who won the most recent FIFA Women’s World Cup trophies at both U17 and U20 level.

For Uzbekistan, qualification for a sixth time and first since 2003 was confirmed in dramatic fashion—via a penalty shoot-out against Nepal as the final group tiebreaker—and continues a recent resurgence for the 2022 CAFA Championship winners and 2022 Asian Games semi-finalists.

Openers by venue

Five world-class stadiums across three vibrant cities will provide the backdrop for the thrilling showdowns in Australia: two each in Perth and Sydney, and the remaining venue in Gold Coast.

A day after the opening match, the Gold Coast Stadium welcomes Korea Republic and the Islamic Republic of Iran on March 2 for the second encounter in Group A at 7pm. Located in the heart of Robina, the design of the 28,000-capacity venue reflects the region’s famed coastal identity. It will host three more Group Stage fixtures thereafter as well as the two crucial Play-off matches on March 19 that feature the four defeated Quarter-finalists, with the winners qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.

The first match to take place at the Western Sydney Stadium is between Group B pair DPR Korea and Uzbekistan on March 3, scheduled to begin at 1pm. Located in Parramatta, the picturesque 30,000-seater venue will also host a further five Group Stage matches.

On March 4, the Perth Rectangular Stadium hosts its first match of the tournament —a 1pm battle between Japan and Chinese Taipei in Group C. This state-of-the-art venue, with a capacity of 19,500 spectators, will stage five thrilling Group Stage encounters, culminating in two Quarter-final clashes on March 13 and 14.

Stadium Australia swings into action on International Women’s Day on March 8 when it hosts Australia’s final Group A fixture against Korea Republic at 8pm. The 79,500-seater stadium, the largest of the five venues, will then host two Quarter-final matches on March 14 and 15, a Semi-final on March 18, and the ultimate face-off—the Final on March 21 at 8pm.

*All timings indicated are in respective local times.

AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Final Draw results

Group A: Australia, Korea Republic, IR Iran, Philippines

Group B: DPR Korea, China PR, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan

Group C: Japan, Vietnam, India, Chinese Taipei

Quote attributable to Federal Minister Sport, Anika Wells:

“The draw is another exciting milestone ahead of a tournament that will unite nations, inspire communities, and showcase the extraordinary talent of women in football.”

“The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup was a game-changer for football in Australia, so through our $15 million investment in the Asian Cup, the Australian Government is proud to extend its commitment to lasting opportunities for women and girls across the country”

Quote attributable to Chief Operating Officer of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Local Organising Committee, Sarah Walsh:

“With the Final Draw complete, the tournament has taken on a whole new energy. We now have a clear picture of the epic match-ups that will define the group stage, from fierce rivalries to world-class contests that will captivate fans across Australia and Asia. It’s an incredible line-up that promises high-quality football and unforgettable moments from the very first whistle.

“Whether it’s the Matildas opening the tournament in Perth, powerhouse clashes in Sydney, or the global flair on show at the Gold Coast, every host city will play a part in delivering a celebration of football like no other. These match-ups are more than just games, they are an invitation for communities to come together, to share in the pride of their heritage, and to embrace the unifying spirit of the tournament. This is where Dream Fearless comes to life — on the pitch, in the stands, and in the hearts of fans everywhere.”

Quote attributable to WA Tourism Minister, Reece Whitby: 

“It's so exciting to learn our beloved Matildas will face the Philippines in the opening game of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup at Optus Stadium. 

“Following the huge success of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Perth is thrilled to welcome some of the world’s best teams once again, when we host the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 2026. 

“Hosting high-profile teams in FIFA World Cup-winners Japan, India and Vietnam will put WA on the map as one of the epicentres of football fever next March, showcasing the State as a top-tier tourism destination, which will be broadcast around the world. 

“Events like the AFC Women’s Asian Cup solidify WA’s reputation as the fastest-growing events destination in the South East Asia region, and is just another example of the Cook Government’s economic diversification strategy in driving visitation generating valuable tourism dollars for local businesses and supporting jobs.”

Quote attributable to NSW Minister for Sport and Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Steve Kamper:

“Sydney is the nation’s home of football and a world-leading destination for international sporting events, which will again be on display at the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. We’re thrilled to have the mighty Matildas locked in to play Korea Republic in a critical group match on International Women’s Day, which will be one of 11 tournament matches played in Sydney, including two Quarter Finals, a Semi Final and the Final. We can’t wait to welcome thousands of fans from around the nation and across Asia to experience a memorable football tournament in one of the world's greatest sporting cities.”

Quote attributable to Queensland Minister for the Environment and Tourism, Andrew Powell:

“Queensland Government’s Destination 2045 tourism plan aims to make Queensland the nation’s events capital with more events like the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026.

“We are proud to be hosting six matches for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 including our beloved Matildas on 5 March 2026.

“Events of this calibre are a great opportunity to showcase the beauty of our glittering Gold Coast – we want people to come for the matches and stay for everything else we have to offer.

“A key part of Destination 2045 is building out a year-round events calendar, making Queensland the events capital of Australia.

“We will continue attracting world-class events for locals and visitors as we make the most of the green and gold runway and we look forward to watching the action play out at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 2026.”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate:

“It doesn’t get any bigger than this as Asia’s best women’s footballers descend on the Gold Coast.

“As part of the group stage matches, our mighty Matildas will take to the pitch, carrying the green ‘n gold hopes through this tournament.

“Once again, our city will shine on the world stage, hosting the Women’s Asian Cup right here on the Gold Coast. We are continuing to secure premier sporting events and can’t wait to welcome qualifying nations and fans to the Gold Coast to experience everything this amazing place has to offer.”

--ENDS—

AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Media Contact

Angela Habashy | General Manager – Media & Communications

AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026™ LOC Office

E:  Angela.Habashy@womensasiancup2026.com.au | T: +61 (0) 424 747 049