CTV( Sports News)When hosts Australia take on the Philippines in tomorrow’s opening match at Perth Stadium at 5pm, it will mark the start of the 21st edition of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ where the Continent’s finest women’s national teams will battle for the coveted crown from March 1 to 21, 2026.
With the opening match poised to set a new attendance benchmark in the history of the Continental showpiece, AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has offered words of encouragement to the 12 participating teams and the Local Organising Committee.
Shaikh Salman said: “The wait for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ is finally over and, ahead of what promises to be a historic edition of the competition, I would like to extend my best wishes to our 12 participating teams, the Local Organising Committee, and to everyone who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring this tournament to fruition.
“As our premier women’s national team competition, I am confident that Australia 2026 will be an unforgettable tournament, reflecting the remarkable progress of the women’s game and raising the bar for women’s football in Asia.”
The AFC President also highlighted the many milestones achieved in the lead-up to the tournament, including the introduction of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup’s first-ever bespoke official matchball, WAVEMAKER, the tournament’s first official mascot Naara the Fire Horse, and its first official anthem, That’s How We Win, while also lauding the range of technological innovations set to be implemented.
“This is only the second time that the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ will be staged at venues that have previously hosted the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and befittingly, there is much to look forward to,” he added.
“From the use of the VAR system in all matches to the introduction of digital substitution management tools, these enhancements represent the right step forward in supporting our players and match officials, who continue to make our Confederation proud on the global stage.”
The landmark edition follows the celebration of 50 years of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ in August 2025, marking five decades of progress in women’s football across Asia and reaffirming the competition’s enduring role as a catalyst for growth and inspiration.
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