2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup Full Schedule, Date, Start Times, Teams, Venues
The 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup (21st edition) will be held in Australia from March 1 to March 21, 2026. This marks Australia's second time hosting the tournament (after 2006) and serves as a major qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup (top 4 teams qualify directly; additional spots via play-offs).
Twelve teams are divided into three groups, with matches played across five venues in three host cities: Perth (Western Australia), Gold Coast (Queensland), and Sydney (New South Wales). Time zones vary: AWST (Perth, GMT+8), AEST (Gold Coast, GMT+10), AEDT (Sydney, GMT+11).
Host Venues Overview
Perth Stadium (Perth, capacity ~60,000) — Opening match
Perth Rectangular Stadium / HBF Park (Perth, capacity ~19,500)
Gold Coast Stadium / Cbus Super Stadium (Gold Coast, capacity ~27,000)
Western Sydney Stadium / CommBank Stadium (Sydney, capacity ~30,000)
Stadium Australia (Sydney, capacity ~79,500) — Final and key matches
The opening match is Australia vs Philippines on March 1 at Perth Stadium, and the final is scheduled for March 21 at Stadium Australia in Sydney.
Tournament Groups
Group A: Australia (hosts), South Korea (Korea Republic), IR Iran, Philippines
Group B: China PR, DPR Korea (North Korea), Bangladesh, Uzbekistan
Group C: Japan, Vietnam, India, Chinese Taipei
Group Stage Matches
March 1
Australia vs Philippines at Perth Stadium, kickoff 5:00 PM AWST
March 2
South Korea vs Iran at Gold Coast Stadium, kickoff 7:00 PM AEST
March 3
North Korea vs Uzbekistan at Western Sydney Stadium, kickoff 1:00 PM AEDT
China vs Bangladesh at Western Sydney Stadium, kickoff 7:00 PM AEDT
March 4
Japan vs Chinese Taipei at Perth Rectangular Stadium, kickoff 1:00 PM AWST
Vietnam vs India at Perth Rectangular Stadium, kickoff 6:00 PM AWST
March 5
Philippines vs South Korea at Gold Coast Stadium, kickoff 5:00 PM AEST
Iran vs Australia at Gold Coast Stadium, kickoff 7:00 PM AEST
March 6
Bangladesh vs North Korea at Western Sydney Stadium, kickoff 1:00 PM AEDT
Uzbekistan vs China at Western Sydney Stadium, kickoff 7:00 PM AEDT
March 7
Chinese Taipei vs Vietnam at Perth Rectangular Stadium, kickoff 10:00 AM AWST
India vs Japan at Perth Rectangular Stadium, kickoff 4:00 PM AWST
March 8
Iran vs Philippines at Gold Coast Stadium, kickoff 7:00 PM AEST
Australia vs South Korea at Stadium Australia, kickoff 8:00 PM AEDT
March 9
Bangladesh vs Uzbekistan at Perth Rectangular Stadium, kickoff 5:00 PM AWST
North Korea vs China at Western Sydney Stadium, kickoff 8:00 PM AEDT
March 10
Japan vs Vietnam at Perth Rectangular Stadium, kickoff 5:00 PM AWST
India vs Chinese Taipei at Western Sydney Stadium, kickoff 8:00 PM AEDT
Knockout Stage
Quarter-finals (March 13–15)
Held at Perth Rectangular Stadium and Stadium Australia. Semi-finals
March 17 at Perth Stadium
March 18 at Stadium Australia World Cup Play-ins (for remaining 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification spots)
March 19 at Gold Coast Stadium (matches involving the four losing quarter-finalists)
Final
March 21 at Stadium Australia, Sydney
This tournament promises high-level competition, with Australia entering as favorites on home soil, while traditional powerhouses Japan, China, and Korea Republic are expected to challenge strongly. For the latest updates on tickets, broadcasts, or any schedule adjustments, refer to the official AFC website or Football Australia.
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