AFC Women's Asian Cup
With 12 of Asia’s finest women’s national teams vying for the coveted title — as well as qualification to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027™ — the 21st edition of the Continental showpiece will also showcase a comprehensive suite of technological innovations aimed at upholding the highest competition standards and ensuring the seamless delivery of match operations.
Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system
For the first time in the competition’s history, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system will be deployed across all 27 matches, marking a significant milestone in strengthening the accuracy, consistency and integrity of officiating standards at Asia’s premier women’s national team tournament.
Complementing the VAR system will be the Virtual Offside Line (VOL), which will be utilised in the review of offside decisions. By delivering high-precision 2D and 3D (stereoscopic) visualisations within the existing VAR framework, the VOL will further enhance the clarity and reliability of tight offside evaluations, underlining the AFC’s steadfast dedication to safeguarding fairness and transparency on the field of play.
Digital Substitution System
Also for the first time, the Digital Substitution System will be introduced at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ to make substitution requests faster, clearer and more reliable for teams and match officials.
Replacing the traditional paper-based process with a streamlined digital solution, the system will enable teams to submit substitution requests in a more efficient and accurate manner during matches. Selected players will be displayed and the status of each request tracked in real time, with information transmitted instantly to the relevant match officials for review and confirmation.
Teams will have real-time visibility of their own substitution requests, while match officials will be able to monitor all requests simultaneously, ensuring accurate tracking and enhanced coordination throughout the match. The system will be accessible exclusively through AFC-accredited devices, safeguarding security and operational consistency across all fixtures.
Replay Tablets and Tactical Camera Footage
To further elevate the technical and tactical analysis capabilities of participating teams, a Team Replay Device will be provided at each bench for every match, granting access to multiple live camera feeds, including the dedicated tactical camera, programme feed, high-behind-goal feed and 16-metre camera angle.
Designed with an intuitive interface, the system will enable authorised team officials to view, freeze, zoom and replay key incidents in real time within the technical area.
Meanwhile, a wide-angle Main Camera Platform (MCP) tactical camera will be installed at each stadium to ensure continuous and unobstructed coverage of live play. In addition to supporting in-match analysis, the tactical feed footage will also be made available to the participating teams following each fixture, further strengthening post-match review processes.
Furthermore, with players’ welfare remaining paramount, AFC Medical Officers stationed pitch-side will be equipped with tablets providing relevant camera feeds to assist team doctors in reviewing match incidents in cases of potential injuries.
Live Match Data and Performance Insights
Beyond visual analysis, teams will benefit from advanced live data services throughout the competition, with a dedicated Live Match Data Application delivering minute-by-minute analytical insights.
Aligned with the AFC’s Vision of ensuring the success of Asian teams on the world’s biggest stages, the technology will serve as a vital tool for technical staff to monitor emerging trends in team performances, support informed decision-making, and facilitate comprehensive pre- and post-match analysis.
Electronic Performance & Tracking Systems (EPTS) and Football Data Platform
In yet another landmark development, key performance metrics will be captured across all matches through the Electronic Performance & Tracking Systems (EPTS).
Utilising dedicated tracking cameras installed at each venue and supported by broadcast feeds, the EPTS will collect a wide range of data, including running speed, distance covered in possession, and time spent in low- and high-intensity running. The system will also process these inputs to accurately triangulate players’ positions throughout each match.
All data gathered will be shared with teams via a data platform — the Football Data Platform (FDP) — which will also provide access to tactical-camera footage and TV programme feed recordings, further enhancing analytical depth and strategic preparation.
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