AFC Women’s Asian Cup - Asia’s Leading Women’s Football Tournament

Established in 1975, the AFC Women’s Asian Cup is the continent’s premier women’s football tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The tournament not only celebrates the champion but also serves as a qualifying round for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, contributing to the elevation of women’s football.With the participation of 12 of the strongest teams, the tournament affirms its important role in promoting gender equality and sports development sam86.

History of the AFC Women's Asian Cup

The Asian Women's Football Championship, established in 1975, has grown from a small competition into a prestigious continental tournament. Over four decades, it has continuously evolved to adapt to the development of women's football. These improvements have contributed to raising its status and attracting international attention rút tiền sam86.

The first steps of the tournament

The AFC Women’s Asian Cup began in 1975 in Hong Kong with only six participating teams and a 60-minute match duration. New Zealand surprisingly won the title, followed by Taiwan's two consecutive victories in 1977 and 1980, affirming East Asian dominance. However, this period saw the tournament facing difficulties due to a lack of infrastructure and widespread support.

In 1983, Thailand became the first Southeast Asian team to win the championship, bringing a fresh perspective to the tournament. After ALFC merged with AFC in 1986, the league became more professionally organized with standardized formats and durations. This also marked a turning point, ushering in China's long period of dominance from 1986 onwards.

Since 2010, the AFC Women’s Asian Cup has been held every four years and expanded to 12 teams from 2022. The tournament also serves as a qualifying round for the Women’s World Cup, increasing its competitiveness and value. After 20 editions, East Asia still dominates, but many emerging teams have risen strongly.

Highlights of tournaments and their champions

The AFC Women’s Asian Cup has witnessed many memorable moments, with China holding the record with 9 titles, including a streak of 7 consecutive wins from 1986 to 1999. North Korea won in 2001 and 2003, while Australia won for the first time in 2010. Japan followed suit with two titles in 2014 and 2018.

In 2022 in India, China reclaimed the title after 16 years, defeating South Korea 2-0 in front of 25,000 spectators. These achievements not only celebrate talent but also spurred investment, transforming the tournament into a platform for Asian women's players to shine internationally.

Future prospects of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup

The tournament is not just a sporting event, but also promotes gender equality and the development of women's football in Asia. As a World Cup qualifying tournament, it helps many teams reach world-class levels. The tournament also encourages investment, enhances opportunities for female players, and changes societal perceptions.

The role of the tournament in promoting women's football in Asia.

The AFC Women’s Asian Cup helped teams like Vietnam, Indonesia, and Uzbekistan learn from China and Japan, while also attracting over 1 million online viewers in the 2022 edition. Many stars like Sam Kerr and Wang Shuang shone, inspiring the younger generation.

The tournament also fostered development programs, establishing over 100 women's academies and increasing the number of registered players by 30% in a decade. It became a symbol of progress and solidarity in Asian women's football.

The 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup – A New Journey

The 2026 tournament will take place in Australia starting in July, bringing together 12 teams including host nation Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, along with new entrants such as Iran, Philippines, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, and Jordan. The draw in July 2025 resulted in exciting groups, with Group A including Australia, South Korea, Iran, and the Philippines.

The AFC Women’s Asian Cup is not only an opportunity for Australia to defend their title but also an important preparation for the 2027 World Cup. The tournament is expected to attract over 500,000 spectators, affirming efforts to expand its scale and increase diversity.

Conclude

The AFC Women’s Asian Cup has helped shape the future of women’s football in Asia, from its beginnings to its current leading position. With an impressive history of achievements and the promising 2026 edition, the tournament continues to inspire millions of women. It is a symbol of talent, resilience, and the aspiration for equality in sports.