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#WAC2026 - Facts & Figures

Sat, 21 Mar, 2026

#WAC2026 - Facts & Figures

Sydney: The curtain came down on the record-breaking AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026™ with Japan defeating Australia in the final on Saturday.

It was a tournament filled with excitement and milestones and the-AFC.com picks out some interesting facts and figures from the continent's premier women's national team tournament.

Shaikh Salman hails Australia 2026 as Japan seals third Asian crown

Sun, 22 Mar, 2026

Shaikh Salman hails Australia 2026 as Japan seals third Asian crown

Kuala Lumpur: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President, Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, has extended his warmest congratulations to Japan after the Nadeshiko defeated Australia 1-0 to secure their third AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ title following a spectacular Final at Stadium Australia on Saturday.

The tournament concluded on a historic note in front of yet another record-breaking 74,397 crowd, marking the third occasion a new fan attendance record was set across the 21-day football festival, and further cementing this edition as the most attended in the competition's history with total turnout surpassing the 350,000 mark.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_womens_asian_cup.html/video/wac2026-final-review-japan-v-australia

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_womens_asian_cup.html/video/wac2026-|-final-japan-1-0-australia

Hamano: That was my kind of goal

Sat, 21 Mar, 2026

Hamano: That was my kind of goal

Sydney: While many will consider Maika Hamano’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ title-winning goal as special, the forward knows it didn’t happen just by chance.

The 17th minute strike distinguished Japan from Australia in the final on Saturday, with the 21-year-old blasting home a swerving ball from the edge of the box that gave custodian Mackenzie Arnold no chance.

Nielsen hails brilliant Japan

Sat, 21 Mar, 2026

Nielsen hails brilliant Japan

Sydney: Japan’s resilience in the 1-0 win against Australia in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ final on Saturday won a special place in the heart of head coach Nils Nielsen.

Dominant in all their matches leading up to the final, the Nadeshiko had to dig deep to stop a buoyant home side backed by a record 74,397 partisan fans at Stadium Australia, much to the delight of the Danish tactician.

Montemurro proud of valiant Australia

Sat, 21 Mar, 2026

Montemurro proud of valiant Australia

Sydney:  Disappointment of losing did not prevent Joe Montemurro from paying tribute to a remarkable performance from Australia in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ final on Saturday.

The head coach was proud that his side gave Japan the sternest examination the East Asian side faced in the competition as the Matildas fought right until the end in their 1-0 defeat at a packed Stadium Australia.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_womens_asian_cup.html/photo/wac2026-final-joy-tears

Australia’s Kennedy named Most Valuable Player

Sat, 21 Mar, 2026

Australia’s Kennedy named Most Valuable Player

Sydney: Australia's Alanna Kennedy was crowned the Most Valuable Player of the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2026™ after producing eye-catching performances throughout the tournament.

Australia’s 1-0 defeat to Japan in the final on Saturday did not take away a standout campaign for the 31-year-old.

Japan's Ueki earns Top Goal Scorer accolade

Sat, 21 Mar, 2026

Japan's Ueki earns Top Goal Scorer accolade

Sydney: Riko Ueki emerged as the Top Goal Scorer of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™, with the Japanese star finishing the tournament on six goals.

The West Ham United star produced a consistent campaign with her finishing helping power Japan to a third title following their 1-0 win against Australia in the final on Saturday.