Sydney clinches 2026 AFC Asian Women’s Cup final, Perth and Gold Coast among host cities
Sydney has pulled off another sporting coup by being awarded the final of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, with details of the 21-day festival locked in.
Sydney has pulled off another sporting coup by being awarded the final of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
Like the men’s 2015 Asian Cup final, won by the Socceroos, next year’ women’s title match will take place at Sydney’s Olympic stadium on March 21.
Box-office gold wherever they appear after reaching the semis of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup at home, the Matildas will also play a pool game at the Gold Coast and the Opening match at Perth’s Optus Stadium on March 1.
“It’s going to be a momentous time for the game,” Football Australia chief executive James Johnson said.
“What we saw in the ‘23 Women’s World Cup was real legacy and by legacy we mean an increase in the participation numbers right across the country.
“In 2024 we saw an 11% increase, 16 % in women, but 11 % across boys and girls. We’re expecting to see another boost post the Women’s Asian Cup. It will really cement our sport as the biggest participant school in the country.”
The details for the 12-team tournament were unveiled at Sydney Harbour on Thursday, with the final draw to take place this year.
There will be three groups of four teams with a total of eight sides – the top two from each group plus the two best third-placed teams, advancing to the quarter-finals.
The top six teams will qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil.
Sydney will have two venues.
As well as the final, the Olympic Stadium will also host a semi-final, two quarter-finals and a pool match featuring the Matildas.
Western Sydney Stadium will host six pool matches.
Perth will also have two venues.
Optus Stadium will have a semi and a pool game featuring the Wallabies
Gold Coast Stadium will have four pools, one with the Matildas, and two playoff matches to decide the fifth and sixth teams.
Accor Stadium will also host a semi-final, two quarter-finals and a pool match featuring the Matildas, who have made three of the last four Asian Cup finals, winning the title in 2010.
The Matildas have a great record at the Asian Cup, making three of the last four Asian Cup finals and winning the title in 2010.
They missed the semis at the last tournament in 2022 but Johnson is confident of a quick turnaround in 12 month’s time.
“Absolutely, we have high hopes,” Johnson said.
“They’re a great team and I think their best years are ahead of them.
“We’ve had some great years supporting the Matildas, particularly the last two or three. We are in a transition year, so it is the start of a new cycle.
“We’re going through a change of coach, of course but we’ll be at the top of our game by the time the ‘26 Women’s Asian Cup comes along.
“If you remember the journey into the Women’s World Cup in 2023, the journey was no different. The games we’re playing at the moment are really designed around us, peaking when we get to the Women’s Asian Cup because that’s when we need to perform.”
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