In less than 24 hours, the path to continental glory will be revealed for the 12 nations qualified for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™. With the Final Draw set to take place on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, the countdown to the most prestigious event in Asian women’s football is officially on.
From iconic venues to rising stars, here’s your all-in-one guide to the draw and what’s ahead.
A Grand Stage in Sydney
The draw ceremony will unfold at the Sydney Town Hall, a landmark of Victorian architecture and one of the grandest public venues in Australia. The venue’s heritage and elegance reflect the scale and significance of the tournament it will help launch.
This symbolic setting also underscores Australia’s deep commitment to women’s football, having hosted the tournament once before in 2006 and co-hosted the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.
The 12 Qualified Teams
A total of 12 teams have secured their spots for the 21st edition of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™:
Automatically Qualified:
- Australia (hosts)
- China PR (defending champions)
- Korea Republic (2022 runners-up)
- Japan (3rd place, 2022)
Qualified Through the 2024–2025 Qualifiers:
- Bangladesh (historic first appearance)
- Chinese Taipei
- DPR Korea
- India (first time since 2003)
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- Philippines
- Uzbekistan (first time since 2003)
- Vietnam
Draw Mechanics and Pot Seeding
Seeding for the Final Draw is based on the FIFA Women’s World Ranking (as of June 12, 2025). Australia, as hosts, are automatically placed in Pot 1.
Final Draw Pot Allocations:
Pot 1:
Australia (15)
Japan (7)
DPR Korea (9)
Pot 2:
China PR (17)
Korea Republic (21)
Vietnam (37)
Pot 3:
Philippines (41)
Chinese Taipei (42)
Uzbekistan (51)
Pot 4:
Iran (68)
India (70)
Bangladesh (128)
Tournament Format
- The 12 teams will be drawn into three groups of four.
- The top two teams from each group, plus the two best third-placed teams, will advance to the quarter-finals.
- The semi-finalists automatically qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.
- The quarter-final losers will enter a playoff round for two additional World Cup spots.
Host Cities and Stadiums
The tournament will be held across five stadiums in three cities:
Sydney:
- Stadium Australia – Final venue
- Western Sydney Stadium
Perth:
- Perth Stadium – Opening match
- Perth Rectangular Stadium
Gold Coast:
- Gold Coast Stadium
Watch Parties Across Australia
To engage fans nationwide, official watch parties will take place during the Final Draw:
- Sydney (Western Sydney Stadium – Cumberland Lounge): Hosted by Lavendar Baj
- Gold Coast (HOTA Cinema): Hosted by Alex Ward
- Perth (QT Hotel Rooftop): Hosted by Lauren Markham
Special Guests at the Draw
Three high-profile ambassadors will assist in the live draw:
- Tameka Yallop (Australia): Matildas legend and 2010 Asian Cup winner
- Sangita Basfore (India): Key player in India’s qualification return
- Jeon Yu-gyeong (Korea Republic): U20 standout and rising star in Europe
Eyes on the Prize
This is Australia’s second time hosting the tournament, having narrowly missed out on the title in 2006. The Matildas will be determined to win on home turf and join the ranks of host champions.
But they face tough competition:
- China PR are hunting their record 10th title.
- Japan hold the longest Finals streak (16 straight).
- Korea Republic and DPR Korea are perennial contenders.
- Vietnam, Philippines, and Chinese Taipei are building momentum.
- India, Uzbekistan, and Bangladesh aim to make their return/debut count.
Final Thoughts
The Final Draw will set the tone for what promises to be a landmark tournament in March 2026. As the continent’s best prepare to clash, fans can expect drama, passion, and the emergence of new legends on Australian soil.
Mark your calendars: The Final Draw will be livestreamed on Tuesday, July 29 at 4pm (UTC+7).