(Reuters) -Defending champions China have been drawn to face North Korea, Bangladesh and Uzbekistan in the group phase of the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup with hosts Australia opening the three-week-long tournament against the Philippines on March 1 in Perth.
The Joe Montemurro-coached Matildas will also take on South Korea and Iran in the 12-nation continental championship while Japan, currently Asia’s highest ranked team, will face Taiwan, Vietnam and India in the group phase.
“For us to have three games all based in Sydney is great, that will give us consistency that our girls will appreciate,” said China coach Ante Milicic.
“North Korea is a bit of an unknown one because we’ve never played them, but we know that they’re very strong, particularly in their youth tournaments and highly ranked in the senior team as well.”
The Chinese will be attempting to win a record-extending 10th Asian title after lifting the trophy at the most recent event in India in 2022.
The Steel Roses kick off their Group B campaign against debutants Bangladesh at Western Sydney Stadium on March 3 before taking on the Uzbeks three days later and then concluding their group commitments against the North Koreans.
Australia follow up their opener against the Philippines in Group A with a meeting against Iran on the Gold Coast and close out the group phase in Sydney versus South Korea, who knocked the Matildas out in the quarter-finals in 2022.
The Japanese, who are aiming to win the title for the first time since 2018, launch their challenge in Group C against Taiwan on March 4 in Perth. They will take on India three days later and meet Vietnam on March 10.
The top two in each of the three groups advance to the quarter-finals, where they will be joined by the two third-placed nations with the best records.
The tournament also serves as Asia’s qualifiers for the 2027 Women’s World Cup. The four semi-finalists will progress to the finals in Brazil with two more berths awarded to the winners of playoffs between the losing quarter-finalists.
The Asian Cup final will be held at Stadium Australia on March 21.
(Reporting by Michael Church, Editing by Ken Ferris)
