India Grouped With Japan, Vietnam & Chinese Taipei At 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup
The Indian women's football team are in Group C alongisde Japan, Vietnam and Chinese Taipei for the 2026 AFC Women's Asia Cup.
The Indian women's football team have been grouped with Japan, Vietnam and Chinese Taipei at the AFC Women's Asian Cup in Australia.
In the other two groups, hosts Australia have been clubbed with South Korea, Iran and Philippines, while defending champions China are in the same group as North Korea, Bangladesh and Uzbekistan.
AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Draw –
Group A – Australia, South Korea, Iran, Philippines
Group B – North Korea, China, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan
Group C – Japan, Vietnam, India, Chinese Taipei
???????????? ???????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????? ????????????????????????????????! 🏆🇮🇳 India are placed in Group C of #WAC2026 alongside Japan 🇯🇵, Vietnam 🇻🇳 & Chinese Taipei #BlueTigresses #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/1dvvdpAhW4
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 29, 2025
After a quarter-final exit in the last edition, 2010 champions Australia are determined to go all the way on home soil.
Korea Republic, having suffered heartbreak in the 2022 final against China PR, are eager to finally claim the coveted trophy.
Iran, who secured their second successive Finals appearance by defeating Jordan in the Qualifiers, aim for a knockout stage appearance after their debut ended with two defeats.
The Philippines, an emerging force on the continental stage, seek to match or improve on their 2022 semi-final finish.
DPR Korea, returning to the continental stage for the first time since 2010, are counting on their FIFA Women's World Cup U-17 and U-20 talents to drive their bid for a fourth title.
China PR, who overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat Korea Republic in the 2022 final, are vying for a record-extending 10th title.
Bangladesh, making their debut appearance in the Finals, aim to make a significant impact after an impressive showing in the Qualifiers.
Uzbekistan, having returned to the Finals for the first time since 2003, look forward to challenging themselves against the continent's top teams.
Japan, denied a hat-trick of titles after losing to China PR in the semi-finals of the 2022 edition, are determined to reclaim the title.
Vietnam aim for at least a spot at the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027 after debuting at the 2023 edition.
India are focused on impressing after being forced to withdraw from the 2022 edition due to a COVID-19 outbreak.
Chinese Taipei, targeting an extended run and FIFA Women's World Cup qualification, aim to build on their last AFC Women's Asian Cup title win in 1980.
What Is The Schedule For 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup?
Scheduled from March 1 to 21, 2026, the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 will be held in Sydney, Perth, and the Gold Coast, including stadiums that hosted the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023. This tournament marks its return to Australia for the first time since 2006.
India, runners-up in 1980 and 1983, will make their first tournament appearance since 2003. They achieved this through a historic qualification campaign, topping Group B by defeating Thailand, Iraq, Timor-Leste, and Mongolia earlier this month.
The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, will advance to the quarter-finals. The four quarter-final winners will qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027. The losing quarter-finalists will compete in play-offs for the remaining two direct spots allocated to the AFC for the World Cup. The two play-off losers will have another chance to qualify for Brazil through the inter-confederation play-offs.
China PR, Korea Republic, and Japan qualified as the top three teams from the AFC Women's Asian Cup India 2022, while Australia secured their spot as hosts.
The remaining eight teams confirmed their places through the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 Qualifiers, held in eight centralised groups from June 23 to July 19. The teams that qualified are Bangladesh, Chinese Taipei, DPR Korea, India, Islamic Republic of Iran, Philippines, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
Location :
Sydney, Australia
First Published:
July 29, 2025, 15:27 IST
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