Exciting news for all football (soccer) enthusiasts!
The Matildas are set to dazzle us down under again, as Australia has proudly stepped up as the host for the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup.
This thrilling announcement came straight from a pivotal Asian Football Confederation executive committee meeting in Bangkok this week, marking the milestone moment with Australia being the sole bidder for the prestigious event.
Remember back to the 2023 Women’s World Cup magic. Co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, the Matildas charged through to the semi-finals, capturing our hearts before a nail-biting third-place playoff against Sweden.
Look to build on that momentum, the AFC’s women’s football committee passionately advocated for Australia to host the 12-nation Asian Cup once again, and their enthusiasm was met with unanimous agreement.
The action will unfold across NSW, Queensland, and Western Australia, promising an unforgettable football fest.
Football Australia CEO James Johnson couldn’t hide his excitement, stating, “We are profoundly honoured to host the 2026 edition of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.”
He reflected on the success of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, expressing his eagerness to deliver yet another spectacular celebration of women’s football and inspire future generations.
It’s been a while since the Women’s Asian Cup has been held in Australia, with the last tournament back in 2006 where our Matildas came up short, but went on to win the following tournament in China in 2010, also making it to the finals in both 2014 and 2018.
Despite a quarter-finals exit in the last edition in India in 2022, the anticipation for 2026 is already building.
AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa is all in, predicting a vibrant and competitive tournament down under, where the love for women’s football is unmatched.
Get set, football fans! The stage is set for an electrifying showcase of talent, passion, and unforgettable moments in 2026.
