Four teams have already secured their places in the 2026 Women's Asian Cup: host nation Australia, reigning champions China, runners-up South Korea, and third-place finishers Japan. The remaining eight spots were determined through qualifying rounds, featuring 34 teams divided into eight groups.

Seven groups competed from 23/6 to 5/7, with the group winners being India (Group B), Bangladesh (Group C), Taiwan (Group D), Vietnam (Group E), Uzbekistan (Group F), the Philippines (Group G), and North Korea (Group H).

The Vietnam women's national football team defeated Guam 4-0 in the final match of Group E of the 2026 Women's Asian Cup qualifiers at Phu Tho Stadium on 5/7/2025. Photo: Hoang Huynh

The Vietnam women's national football team defeated Guam 4-0 in the final match of Group E of the 2026 Women's Asian Cup qualifiers at Phu Tho Stadium on 5/7/2025. Photo: Hoang Huynh

Group A, hosted by Jordan, will take place from 7/7 to 19/7. In addition to the host nation, the group includes Iran, Lebanon, Singapore, and Bhutan.

Upsets occurred when two South Asian representatives eliminated two Southeast Asian teams. In Group B, India defeated Thailand 2-1 on Thai soil, marking their first appearance in the Women's Asian Cup since 2003. Meanwhile, Bangladesh also triumphed over Myanmar in their second match of Group C, securing their first-ever qualification for the tournament.

Thailand and Myanmar are both ranked among the top 12 in Asia on the FIFA rankings. Thailand is ranked 46th, 24 places higher than India, while Myanmar is ranked 55th, 73 places above Bangladesh.

Group F qualifiers also witnessed drama as Uzbekistan and Nepal drew 3-3 in the final match. With both teams tied on seven points and identical tiebreakers, the match went to penalties. Uzbekistan, with the home advantage, won 4-2.

Thailand (blue) lost to India (orange) 1-2 in the final match of Group B of the 2026 Women's Asian Cup qualifiers at 700th Annivesary Chiangmai Stadium, Thailand, on 5/7/2025. Photo: FAT

Thailand (blue) lost to India (orange) 1-2 in the final match of Group B of the 2026 Women's Asian Cup qualifiers at 700th Annivesary Chiangmai Stadium, Thailand, on 5/7/2025. Photo: FAT

Of the 11 qualified teams, East Asia has the most representatives with Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan, and North Korea. Southeast Asia follows with three, South Asia with two, and Central Asia with one. Central Asia may gain another spot as Iran is considered the strongest team in Group A.

China holds the record for the most Women's Asian Cup titles with 9 (1986, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2006, 2022). North Korea and Taiwan follow with three each, Japan with two, and Australia, Thailand, and New Zealand with one each.

Japan holds the record for most appearances in the tournament with 18. Thailand follows with 17, China with 16, Taiwan with 15, South Korea with 14, and North Korea and the Philippines with 11 each. India and Vietnam have each participated 10 times.

Japan and China share the record for the most consecutive appearances at 16. South Korea follows with 14, and Vietnam and Taiwan with 10.

Vietnam's best results in the tournament are quarter-final finishes in 2014 and 2022. The Women's Asian Cup serves as a qualifying tournament for both the World Cup and the Olympics.

The 2026 Women's Asian Cup will take place from 1/3 to 21/3/2026 in three cities and six stadiums across Australia. Twelve teams will be divided into three groups, playing a round-robin format. The top two teams from each group and the two best third-placed teams will advance to the quarter-finals.

The four semi-finalists will qualify for the 2027 Women's World Cup. The four teams eliminated in the quarter-finals will compete in two play-off matches for the remaining two spots.

Hieu Luong