Asia Cup Kicks Off: Everything You Need to Know

Yui Hasegawa, Sam Kerr and Alanna Kennedy are among the star names set to feature at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, which gets underway in Australia on March 1. The hosts are no strangers to major tournaments — they successfully staged the 2023 Women’s World Cup, setting new benchmarks for the women’s game.

This time, there is more than continental pride at stake. With six World Cup spots up for grabs, the stakes could hardly be higher.

Three host cities will stage matches across five venues, stretching from the west coast to New South Wales.

In Perth, fixtures will be split between the 60,000-capacity Perth Stadium — the city’s showpiece arena — and the more intimate Perth Rectangular Stadium, which accommodates 19,500. On the Gold Coast, the 28,000-seat Gold Coast Stadium adds a coastal stop to the schedule, while Western Sydney Stadium, with room for 30,000, brings the tournament into one of the country’s fastest-growing sporting corridors.

Then there is Stadium Australia. With a capacity of 79,500, it stands as the largest of the five — the venue built for the biggest moments, and the one expected to carry the tournament’s heaviest noise.

So who will be competing? Alongside hosts Australia and already mentioned Japan, the tournament will also feature Bangladesh, China PR, Thaiwan (Chinese Taipei), DPR Korea, India, IR Iran, Korea Republic, the Philippines, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

China PR are the reigning champions, after edging past Korea Republic in a dramatic 2022 final. Xiao Yuyi’s late winner settled the contest at the death, delivering a title decided in the final minute.

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But this is 2026 — and all eyes are on the hosts. The Matildas, spearheaded by captain Sam Kerr, enter the tournament as frontrunners. With a squad brimming with WSL stars — from the recently returned Mary Fowler to Ellie Carpenter and Arsenal matchwinner Caitlin Foord — Australia have both quality and momentum on their side. The Matildas will be eager to reclaim what slipped from their grasp at the 2023 home World Cup, where they ultimately finished third.

Japan are another side well worth watching. After England and Sweden, they are one of the most represented nationalities in the WSL. All eyes will be on the Manchester City duo: goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita, currently the club’s first choice following Kiara Keating’s injury, and the ever-influential Yui Hasegawa. And do not overlook Bayern Munich’s rising star Momoko Tanikawa, one of the brightest young talents in the squad.

Road to Brazil

As mentioned, the stakes extend beyond the trophy. Four group winners will secure automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. They will be joined by two additional teams who come through the subsequent play-offs, while two more nations will advance to the intercontinental play-offs.

With so much on the line, the stage is set for compelling football all the way through to the final in Sydney on March 21.