AFC Women's Asian Cup History Book

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Montemurro named new Matildas head coach

Mon, 02 Jun, 2025

Montemurro named new Matildas head coach

Sydney: Former Arsenal, Juventus and Lyon boss Joe Montemurro has been named the new head coach of Australia’s women’s team, and will lead the Matildas in their attempt to win the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ when the country hosts the championship next March.

The 55-year-old takes over as the long-term replacement for Tony Gustavsson and his appointment ends a 10-month search for a full-time head coach by Football Australia, with Tom Sermanni having served as the team’s interim boss.

Catley eyes success on home soil after lifting Champions League trophy with Arsenal

Sat, 31 May, 2025

Catley eyes success on home soil after lifting Champions League trophy with Arsenal

Melbourne: Steph Catley wants to steer Australia to the AFC Women's Asian Cup™ title on home soil after lifting silverware with club side Arsenal recently.

Catley and fellow Matildas Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross were part of the Arsenal squad that defeated Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League final last week.

It ended Arsenal's long wait for the title - having also emerged champions in 2007 - and Catley said the success will act as motivation for her in Australia's bid to win the AFC Women's Asian Cup next year - having lifted the coveted trophy in 2010.

Australia's Fowler suffers injury blow

Wed, 16 Apr, 2025

Australia's Fowler suffers injury blow

Sydney: Mary Fowler faces a race against time to be ready for her country’s hosting of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ next year after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament rupture in her right knee while playing for Manchester City.

The 22-year-old forward sustained the injury during City’s 2-0 loss to cross-city rivals Manchester United in the semi-finals of the Women’s FA Cup on Sunday and will spend a prolonged period on the sidelines.

#WAC2026 Qualifiers draw finalised

Thu, 27 Mar, 2025

#WAC2026 Qualifiers draw finalised

Kuala Lumpur: Teams hoping to earn passage discovered their opponents following the conclusion of the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Qualifiers draw at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

The 34 sides were drawn into six groups of four teams and two groups of five, with the Qualifiers to be hosted by Cambodia, Indonesia, Jordan, Myanmar, Tajikistan, Thailand, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

The eight group winners will join defending champions China PR, Korea Republic and Japan in the Finals, scheduled to be staged across three host cities from March 1 to 26, 2026.

Stage set for #WAC2026 Qualifiers draw

Fri, 21 Mar, 2025

Stage set for #WAC2026 Qualifiers draw

Kuala Lumpur: Asian women’s national teams will begin their quest for continental glory when the draw ceremony of the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Qualifiers takes place on Thursday, March 27, at 3pm.

Eight tickets to the 21st edition of the Continental showpiece are up for grabs as 34 teams compete from June 23 to July 5 to join hosts Australia and the top three sides from the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ — defending champions China PR, runners-up Korea Republic, and third-placed Japan.

Japan’s Nagasoto calls time on illustrious career

Thu, 06 Mar, 2025

Japan’s Nagasoto calls time on illustrious career

Tokyo: FIFA Women's World Cup winner Yuki Nagasato, who made history with a brief spell playing for a men's team, said she had given "every last drop" as the Japanese striker announced her retirement from football.

The 37-year-old, part of the Japan team that lifted the FIFA World Cup in 2011, brought the curtain down on a 23-year career that saw her play in Germany, England, the United States, Australia and her home country.

AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ match schedule revealed

Wed, 26 Feb, 2025

AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ match schedule revealed

Kuala Lumpur: With just over a year to go until the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ kicks off, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) have unveiled the official match schedule of Asia’s premier women’s national team competition. 

Scheduled to take place from March 1 to 21, 2026, the Continental showpiece will see 12 teams in action across three vibrant host cities –  Sydney, Perth and Gold Coast, each featuring spectacular venues, including those used to host matches of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023.

Entries for AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Qualifiers confirmed

Wed, 05 Feb, 2025

Entries for AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Qualifiers confirmed

Kuala Lumpur: The race to qualify for the next edition of Asia’s most prestigious women’s national team football competition marked its latest milestone today with 37 Member Associations (MAs) confirming their interest to compete in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™.

The Participating MAs will be aiming to clinch the eight available berths to join hosts Australia and the top three sides from the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ – defending champions China PR, runners-up Korea Republic and third-placed Japan – at the 2026 Continental showpiece, which will be held from March 1 to 21, 2026.

Ikeda appointed Thailand women’s head coach

Fri, 10 Jan, 2025

Ikeda appointed Thailand women’s head coach

Bangkok: Futoshi Ikeda has been named as Thailand women’s head coach, an appointment which takes him out of his native Japan for the first time. 

Ikeda has been tasked with the responsibility of taking Thailand to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027, with the Southeast Asian nation having missed out on the 2023 edition co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

Shin takes over as Korea Republic women’s head coach

Fri, 11 Oct, 2024

Shin takes over as Korea Republic women’s head coach

Seoul: Korea Football Association has announced the appointment of Shin Sang-woo as the head coach of the women’s national team.

Shin takes over from Colin Bell, who stepped down in June. 

Milicic has plans for China PR

Fri, 24 May, 2024

Milicic has plans for China PR

Xianghe: Ante Milicic said his first order of business as the China PR women's national team head coach is to get to know his players.

The Australian, announced as head coach of the nine-time AFC Women's Asian Cup™ champions on May 11, said he will also focus on revamping China PR's style of play.

Australia and Uzbekistan confirmed as 2026 and 2029 AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ hosts

Wed, 15 May, 2024

Australia and Uzbekistan confirmed as 2026 and 2029 AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ hosts

Bangkok: Australia and Uzbekistan have been confirmed as the hosts of the 2026 and 2029 editions of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ respectively after the AFC Executive Committee today ratified the AFC Women’s Football Committee’s recommendations at its third meeting held in Bangkok, Thailand, on the eve of the 34th AFC Congress.

In congratulating both MAs, AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “On behalf of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), I would like to thank the other three initial bidders for the 2026 edition – Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan – for submitting their interests and I offer our sincere congratulations to Football Australia and the Uzbekistan Football Association on being confirmed as hosts of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ in 2026 and 2029 respectively.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_womens_asian_cup/photo/afc_womens_asian_cup_history_book.html