Australia announced as 2026 Women’s Asian Cup hosts

Australia last won the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 2010, winning against North Korea on penalties in China.  

Sam Kerr and the Matildas will get the chance to dazzle Australian fans at home again in 2026. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced that Australia will host the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. This move comes after Australia’s successful Women’s World Cup tournament in 2023.  

Australia looking to build on 2023 World Cup 

The 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand was Australia’s first major tournament since the 2015 AFC Men’s Asian Cup. Despite not being a ‘footballing country,’ the tournament was a glaring success. Some say it was the best Women’s World Cup in history.  
 
The tournament broke records for Women’s World Cup attendance. The Matildas sold out every match and inspired a new generation of soccer fans. They’ll get a chance to do it all again in 2026.  
 
The AFC’s top women’s soccer competition is coming to Australia in 2026. Stadiums in NSW, Queensland, and Western Australia will host matches. Victoria declined to bin on matches and will not host any games.  
 
AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa. when announcing the tournament, commented on Australia’s strong women’s soccer culture. “I am confident we will see a more vibrant and competitive edition in 2026 in Australia, where the unrivalled passion for the women’s game is so palpable,” he said.

Matildas AFC Women’s Asian Cup history  

The Matildas have emerged as one of the best women’s soccer teams in the world over the past decade. Despite this, they’ve only won one AFC Women’s Asian Cup. 
 
Australia narrowly defeated North Korea on penalties in China back in 2010 to secure their sole championship in this tournament. The Matildas have finished runner-up in two of the last three AFC Women’s Asian Cup tournaments since their big win in 2010. The 2026 tournament will be a pristine chance for Australia to break their duck and get their second ever victory.  
 
The 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup will also be the second time Australia has ever hosted the tournament. Australia’s previous and only time hosting the AFC Women’s Asian Cup was back in 2006, where they lost in the final to China in a heartbreaking 4-2 penalty shoot out.  

The Socceroos will also be competing in 2026 at the FIFA Men’s World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico. If they go as far as they did in the 2022 edition, 2026 could become one of the most important years in Australian soccer history.