Abu Dhabi: Asia’s hopefuls are gearing up for the start of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 Qualifiers, commencing on Monday. The qualifiers will see teams compete for one of the eight available slots to join hosts Australia and the top three teams from the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 – defending champions China PR, runners-up Korea Republic, and third-placed Japan – in the continental showpiece in March 2026.
According to Emirates News Agency, the teams have been divided into eight groups, with six groups of four and two groups of five. The winners from each group will advance to the finals, completing the lineup for Asia’s premier women’s national team competition. The competition in Group B will kick off with Mongolia facing India at Thailand’s 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium on June 23, marking Mongolia’s second attempt at reaching the finals, while India aims for a comeback since their last qualification in 2003.
In the same group, Iraq and Timor-Leste, neither of whom have ever re
ached the competition proper, will face each other later that evening. Meanwhile, hosts Thailand will aim to match Japan’s record of 18 appearances when they begin their campaign against Timor-Leste on June 26.
Group C action will take place in Yangon, Myanmar, with the hosts starting their journey against debutants Turkmenistan on June 29. Bahrain and Bangladesh will also compete in this group, both eager to make their first appearance in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
In Indonesia’s Tangerang Regency, Group D will see Pakistan take on three-time champions Chinese Taipei on June 29. Later that day, hosts Indonesia will look to secure back-to-back qualifications when they face the Kyrgyz Republic, who are seeking their first-ever appearance.
Vietnam’s Viet Tri Stadium will host Group E matches, with Guam beginning their path to a fifth appearance against the United Arab Emirates on June 29. Later, Vietnam will aim for their 10th consecutive finals appearance against the Maldives, who are in pursuit of their fi
rst point in the qualifiers.
Group F will see Nepal and Laos, both aiming for a spot in the finals, clash at the Bunyodkor Stadium in Tashkent on June 29. Uzbekistan will then take on Sri Lanka, hoping to make their return to the final lineup after their last appearance in 2003.
In Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Group G action will unfold with the Philippines starting their campaign against first-time participants Saudi Arabia on June 29. The match will be followed by Hong Kong, China facing hosts Cambodia, who are embarking on their first-ever qualifying campaign.
Group H matches in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, will feature Malaysia against Palestine on June 29, with Malaysia aiming for their 10th outing in the competition. The day will conclude with DPR Korea, three-time champions, facing the host nation, Tajikistan.
Lastly, Group A matches have been relocated to Qatar and rescheduled for July 2025, with further details to be announced.