The Asian Football Confederation and the Local Organising Committee on Friday marked the start of the 100-day countdown to the AFC Women鈥檚 Asian Cup 2026, to be held across three Australian cities in Sydney, Perth and the Gold Coast.
The ceremony in Sydney featured the unveiling of the competition鈥檚 official match ball, the first bespoke design created specifically for the women鈥檚 tournament. Inspired by Australia鈥檚 coastline, the ball鈥檚 wave-pattern artwork is intended to reflect the growth and fearless spirit of women鈥檚 football in Asia.
Former and current players attended the event, which celebrated the tournament鈥檚 expanding legacy.
Alongside the festivities in Sydney, the LOC conducted parallel activities in other host cities to commemorate the milestone.
AFC general secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John said,鈥� The 100-day milestone reflects the significant strides made by trailblazers over the last fifty years.鈥�
The 12-team competition is scheduled from March 1 to 21, with Bangladesh making their first-ever appearance in the Asian top women鈥檚 football event.
Bangladesh will begin their campaign against holders and nine-time champions China in their Group B match at the Western Sydney Stadium on March 3.聽
English coach Peter Butler鈥檚 charges later on will play the three-time champions North Korea at the same venue on March 6 before facing Uzbekistan at the Perth Rectangular Stadium on March 9.
Australia, South Korea, Iran and Philippines are in Group A while Japan, Vietnam, India and Chinese Taipei are in Group C.
On completion of the group stage, the top two teams from each group and the two best third-placed sides will advance to the quarter-finals. The quarter-finalists will also qualify the Women鈥檚 Olympic Football 2028.
The four semi-finalists will book their straight tickets to the FIFA Women鈥檚 World Cup Brazil 2027, while the losing sides from the quarter-finals will advance to the playoffs, where two more spots at the global showpiece will be at stake.
