AFC names Australia as host for 2026 Women’s Asian Cup

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Executive Committee has confirmed Australia as the host of the 2026 edition of its Women’s Asian Cup.

The decision for Australian to host the tournament for a second time was confirmed at a meeting of the AFC executive committee in the Thailand capital of Bangkok on Wednesday, after Football Australia was the only member nation to submit a bid to host the tournament.

Confirming Australia as host of the tournament, AFC president, Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa advised “the development of the women’s game in Asia has grown immensely in recent years and the launch of the AFC Women’s Champions League later this year is a monumental stride forward that will transform the standards of our flagship women’s national team competition in the decades to come.”

Following the successful co-hosting of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Football Australia will have high hope for the tournament to be a success.

Noting this, Football Australia Chief Executive, James Johnson advised in a statement “we are profoundly honoured to host the 2026 edition of the AFC Women's Asian Cup.

"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, with the Victorian Government not having expressed an interest in supporting the bid.

Australia was the only remaining bidder for 2026 following the withdrawals of Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan was also named as hosts of the 2029 edition of the tournament.

Image: The Matildas at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Credit: Austrade.