The Matildas get a huge win as Australia is chosen to host one of the world’s biggest football tournaments – but fans in three states will not be happy
- Australia will host the Women’s Asian Cup in 2026
- The 2023 Women’s World Cup was a great success
The Matildas will get another chance to excite local football fans on home soil as Australia has been named the host nation for the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup.
The decision was confirmed at a meeting of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) executive committee in Bangkok on Wednesday, after Australia became the only member state to submit a bid to host the tournament.
The 2023 Women’s World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, was a huge success, with the Matildas reaching the semi-finals before losing the third place play-off to Sweden.
The AFC Women’s Football Committee strongly recommended that the 12-nation Asian Cup also be held for the second time, and the Executive Committee agreed.
Australia has been named as the host nation for the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup following the huge success of last year’s World Cup (Photo: Sam Kerr playing for the Matildas in 2023)
Matches in the tournament will take place in NSW, Queensland and Western Australia, leaving fans in short supply in other states
However, competitions will only take place in NSW, Queensland and Western Australia.
“We are extremely honored to host the 2026 edition of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup,” Football Australia CEO James Johnson said in a statement.
“This decision reflects the confidence of the global football community in our ability to deliver outstanding events.
‘After the resounding success of last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, we are keen to create another tournament that celebrates women’s football and inspires a new generation.’
The Women’s Asian Cup was last held in Australia in 2006, after which the Matildas would win the next edition in China in 2010. They also reached the finals in 2014 and 2018, but were eliminated from the last edition in India in 2022 in the quarter-finals.
The 2023 Women’s World Cup gave Australia one of its greatest sporting moments as the Tillies defeated France in a nail-biting penalty shootout (pictured)
“I am confident that in 2026 we will see a more vibrant and competitive edition in Australia, where the unparalleled passion for the women’s game is so palpable,” said AFC Chairman Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa.
The AFC also announced that Uzbekistan will host the event in 2029, the first time the country has hosted a continental senior tournament after hosting numerous Asian events at youth level.