The question “when is Asian Cup 2026” refers to the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. In short: it will take place , 2026, hosted by Australia. Below, CanLinkCup will walk you through everything you need to know — the dates, venues, format, key teams, and what’s at stake.
Table of Contents
Key dates and host cities
- The 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup runs from 1 March to 21 March 2026.
- Australia is the host country. Cities and stadiums across Perth, Sydney, and Gold Coast will stage the matches.
- Five venues will be used across those three host cities.
Format, teams, and match schedule
What the tournament looks like
- This will be the 21st edition of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
- There are 12 national teams competing.
- They are split into 3 groups of 4 teams each. Top two from each group plus the two best third-placed teams advance to quarterfinals.
Opening matches & who plays who
- The tournament kicks off with a big match: Australia vs Philippines at Perth Stadium on 1 March. mensasiancup2026.com.au)
- Defending champions China, along with former champions like Japan and Korea Republic, are among the favorites. China is aiming for their 10th title.
Why it matters
- This Cup isn’t just about regional glory. It’s also a qualification pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
- The final is scheduled for 21 March 2026, to be played at Stadium Australia in Sydney.
Venues & match-cities
Here are the host cities and some of their iconic stadiums:
- Perth — Perth Stadium and Perth Rectangular Stadium.
- Sydney — Stadium Australia, Western Sydney Stadium.
- Gold Coast — A venue has been selected there for group stage matches.
What fans should watch out for
- National teams looking to cement their legacy: China on 10 titles, Japan, Australia among them.
- Debutants & underdogs: new teams are getting exposure on this big platform.
- Implications for the Women’s World Cup qualifiers. Perform well here and you push closer to Brazil 2027.
Conclusion
The 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup will take place from March 1 to March 21, 2026 in Australia, spread across Perth, Sydney, and the Gold Coast. This isn’t just a tournament — it’s a gateway to the 2027 Women’s World Cup and a chance for Asia’s best to write history.
Want to keep up-to-date? CanLinkCup suggests you:
- Mark your calendar and check venue info soon.
- Follow how qualifiers go and which teams earn spots.
- Watch the opening match (Australia vs Philippines) to get the tournament’s vibe.
Stay tuned — the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup promises drama, passion, and a lot of great football.
