Women's Asian Cup 2026: Your Ultimate Guide to the Tournament in Australia
The 2026 Women's Asian Cup, a premier continental football competition, is set to commence this Sunday, marking a significant event for Australian football. For the Matildas, this tournament holds immense prestige, ranking second only to the FIFA World Cup in importance. The action kicks off at 5pm AWST (8pm AEDT) with a Group A clash between hosts Australia and the Philippines at Perth Stadium. Over three weeks, the tournament will unfold, culminating in the final on Saturday, 21 March at 8pm AEDT, following a knockout stage that begins on Friday, 13 March.
Host Cities and Venues for the Women's Asian Cup
Unlike the expansive 2023 Women's World Cup, which spanned nine cities across Australia and New Zealand, the 2026 Women's Asian Cup will be hosted in just three cities: Perth, Sydney, and the Gold Coast. Key venues include Perth Stadium (Optus Stadium) and Perth Rectangular Stadium (HBF Park) in Western Australia, Gold Coast Stadium (Cbus Super Stadium) in Queensland, and Western Sydney Stadium (CommBank Stadium) in New South Wales. The largest venue, Stadium Australia, with a capacity of nearly 80,000, will be reserved for the knockout stage and the Matildas' third group game in Sydney.
How to Watch and Ticket Availability
At the time of writing, tickets remain available for all matches, including the Matildas' games. For those preferring to follow from home, the Guardian will provide live-blogging coverage for all Matildas matches, as well as the semi-finals and final. In Australia, viewers can catch the Matildas' matches on Network 10 or 10Play, with all games available for streaming behind a paywall on Paramount+.
Qualified Teams and Group Stage Details
After a qualification period starting in June last year, eight teams have earned their spots, joining hosts Australia and the top three teams from the 2022 Asian Cup who received automatic qualification. The twelve nations are divided into three groups of four:
- Group A: Australia, Korea, Iran, Philippines
- Group B: North Korea, China, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan
- Group C: Japan, Vietnam, India, Taiwan
The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed finishers, will advance to the quarter-finals.
Matildas Squad Overview and Key Players
Australian coach Joe Montemurro has selected a 26-player squad for the tournament, comprising three goalkeepers, eight defenders, six midfielders, and nine forwards. Notable inclusions are Mary Fowler, who is returning from an ACL injury, and veterans from the World Cup campaign. The squad blends experienced players with promising newcomers, aiming for silverware.
Sam Kerr's Return and Form
A major storyline is the return of Sam Kerr, who ruptured her ACL in January 2024 and was sidelined for nearly two years. After a lengthy legal process in England, where she was found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment, Kerr has made a comeback, rejoining the Matildas lineup in December and scoring for Chelsea. Her ability to rediscover her previous form could be crucial for Australia's success.
Australia's Match Schedule
Group Stage:
- 1 March: Australia v Philippines, 5pm AWST (8pm AEDT), Perth Stadium
- 5 March: Iran v Australia, 7pm AEST (8pm AEDT), Gold Coast Stadium
- 8 March: Australia v Korea, 8pm AEDT, Stadium Australia
Knockout Stage (Predictions):
- 14 March: Third quarter-final, 8pm AEDT, Stadium Australia
- 18 March: Second semi-final, 8pm AEDT, Stadium Australia
- 21 March: Final, 8pm AEDT, Stadium Australia
Past Performance and Expectations
The Matildas' 2022 Asian Cup campaign in India ended disappointingly with a quarter-final exit to South Korea, followed by a poor Olympic performance. South Korea went on to lose the 2022 final 3-2 to China. This history adds pressure as Australia seeks redemption in 2026.
Can the Matildas Win in 2026?
While the Matildas have the potential to win, it will not be easy. Under interim coach Tom Sermani and now Montemurro, the team has struggled to replicate the form that led to a fourth-place finish in the 2023 World Cup. Japan, ranked world No. 8, is the top-ranked team, and Australia has historically faced challenges against lower-ranked nations like Iran (No. 68). Topping Group A could provide a slightly easier quarter-final path, but the semi-finals will be tougher. With limited testing against top teams since last February, the Matildas' chances remain uncertain but hopeful.
