Asian Cup Women 2026/27

The AFC Women's Asian Cup stands as the premier women's football championship in Asia, organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Founded in 1975 under the Asian Ladies Football Confederation (ALFC) before its absorption into the AFC in 1986, it remains the oldest women's international football competition on the continent. The tournament serves as the primary continental title and historically functioned as the main qualifier for the FIFA Women's World Cup, a role shifting toward the Olympic pathway for the 2031 cycle.

National teams compete in this top-tier event, with participation determined through a separate qualification process involving AFC member associations. The current format, adopted in 2022 and maintained for the 2026 edition scheduled in Australia, features 12 teams divided into three groups of four. The top two sides from each group and the two best third-placed teams advance to the quarter-finals. This structure marks a significant expansion from the original six-team lineup in 1975.

China holds the record for the most successful nation with nine titles, dominating the 1980s and 1990s. Japan and North Korea each have three victories, with Japan securing recent wins in 2014 and 2018. Australia claimed the title in 2010. The reigning champion is China, having defeated South Korea 3-2 in the 2022 final. The competition carries higher prestige than the Asian Games women's tournament, which features age-restricted squads within a multi-sport context. No promotion or relegation applies to this national team championship.