Australia will host the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup with matches to be played in three states

After dropping out of the race to host the men’s FIFA World Cup, Football Australia has instead landed another tournament for the Matildas to shine.

The Matildas will host the Asian Cup. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

The Matildas will get another chance to shoot for a major trophy on home soil after Australia was named as host of the 2026 Asian Cup.

It comes in the wake of the huge success of the FIFA World Cup hosted jointly by Australia and New Zealand in 2023.

The announcement was confirmed at a meeting of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) executive committee in Bangkok on Wednesday, with Australia the only member nation to submit a bid to host the tournament.

“We are profoundly honoured to host the 2026 edition of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup,” Football Australia chief executive James Johnson said.

The Matildas celebrate after securing their qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

“This decision reflects the global football community’s confidence in our capability to deliver outstanding events. Following the resounding success of last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, we are eager to create another tournament that celebrates women’s football and inspires a new generation.”

Matches will take place in NSW, Queensland and Western Australia after the Victorian government opted against bidding to host games.

It's OFFICIAL! 🏟

Australia has been awarded the hosting rights for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026™ 🇦🇺#WAC2026@afcasiancup@theafcdotcom

— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) May 15, 2024

The Matildas won the Asian Cup in China in 2010, reached the final in 2014 and 2018 but got knocked out of the last edition in India in 2022 in the quarter-finals.

It’s the first time the tournament will be held in Australia since 2006.

“I am confident we will see a more vibrant and competitive edition in 2026 in Australia, where the unrivalled passion for the women’s game is so palpable,” AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said.