20 Nov 2025

WAVEMAKER announced as Official Match Ball of AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™

With just over 100 days to go until Asia’s premier women’s showpiece, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Kelme are proud to unveil WAVEMAKER – the first-ever bespoke Official Match Ball created exclusively for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

Set to take centre stage when the tournament kicks off from 1–21 March 2026, WAVEMAKER represents a major milestone in the competition’s proud 50-year history – the first time the tournament has been honoured with its own unique ball design.

The ball will be officially unveiled as part of the 100 Days to Go celebrations in Sydney’s Martin Place tomorrow, Friday 21 November.

Inspired by the powerful nature surrounding Australia’s stunning coastline, WAVEMAKER captures the dynamic rhythm of ocean waves, symbolising the fearless spirit of women athletes riding the tide of progress and breaking barriers, as well as the resilience and unity to strive for excellence.

The design’s gradient wave patterns are reminiscent of the surging tides along Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, evoking a sense of fluidity and movement that brings to life the energy and momentum of the game. The vibrant coral red and ocean blue colour palette pays homage to Australia’s rich natural resources and vibrancy, while ensuring high visibility during nighttime and rainy conditions.

Each element of WAVEMAKER reflects the collective strength of women’s football, from the layered petal-like structures symbolising teamwork to the radiant highlights capturing moments of brilliance on the pitch.

Quote attributable to AFC General Secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John:

“Kelme has a proven track record in providing top-tier footballs across our world-class men’s competitions and now we are pleased to partner with them again as we look to deliver our greatest women’s national team competition in history.”

Quote attributable to Mr. Ke Yongxiang, Chairman of KELME Sports:

“We are deeply honoured to provide the official match ball, WAVEMAKER, for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™. It represents not only precision and reliability in every flight, but also the spirit of strength that drives every female footballer to surge forward.

“May this WAVEMAKER, infused with innovation and belief, accompany all participating teams on Asia’s grandest stage — inspiring them to craft a stirring chapter of this era, and encouraging a new generation of women to chase their dreams with courage and feel the unstoppable wave of progress.”

Quote attributable to Patrick Murphy, CEO of Asia Football Groug (AFG):

“The WAVEMAKER is more than just an important piece of equipment in the game of football — it’s a symbol of empowerment and the unbreakable spirit that drives the game forward. We are proud to partner with Kelme to bring this design to life for one of the most exciting tournaments in women’s football.”

About the AFC

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is the governing body of Asian football and one of the six Confederations making up FIFA. Established in 1954, the AFC is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and comprises 47 Member Associations.

The AFC organises the AFC Asian Cup™, the AFC Women's Asian Cup™, and the AFC Futsal Asian Cup™, which are the flagship Continental national team football and futsal competitions. The AFC Champions League Elite™, AFC Champions League Two™, and AFC Women's Champions League™ are the premier competitions for Asian clubs, drawing millions of fans to the beautiful game across the Continent and beyond.

About  KELME

KELME is a comprehensive sports industry company engaged in the research, design, manufacturing, and sales of sporting goods. As a globally leading sports brand, KELME has been designing and producing high-quality sports equipment and apparel for over 60 years. KELME is committed to providing athletes with the best gear and apparel, advancing the development of world football, showcasing the KELME brand ethos globally, and leaving its mark on the era within the professional football brand sector. For more information, please visit www.kelmechina.com.

About Asia Football Group

Asia Football Group (AFG) is the exclusive commercial agency for the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) competitions from 2023-2028. AFG’s partnership with the AFC covers the commercial rights for all major AFC National Team and Club competitions, including the AFC Asian Cup™, AFC Asian Qualifiers™, AFC Women’s Asian Cup™, AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifiers, AFC Champions League Elite™, AFC Women’s Champions League™, and AFC Champions League Two™ as well as AFC youth and futsal competitions.

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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