Featured image credit: AFC
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Executive Committee has confirmed Australia and Uzbekistan as respective hosts of the 2026 and 2029 editions of the Women’s Asian Cup.
The decision ratified the AFC Women’s Football Committee’s recommendations at its third meeting held in the Thai capital of Bangkok, ahead of the AFC Congress.
“On behalf of the Asian Football Confederation, I would like to thank the other three initial bidders for the 2026 edition – Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan – for submitting their interests and I offer our sincere congratulations to Football Australia and the Uzbekistan Football Association on being confirmed as hosts of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 2026 and 2029 respectively,” said AFC president, Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa.
“The development of the women’s game in Asia has grown immensely in recent years and the launch of the AFC Women’s Champions League later this year is a monumental stride forward that will transform the standards of our flagship women’s national team competition in the decades to come.”
Australia will host the continental event for the second time in its history, having staged the 2006 edition while Uzbekistan will become the first Central Asian nation to organise the tournament.
High hopes are placed on both events, but especially the 2026 edition which comes after Australia’s successful hosting of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“I am confident that we will see a more vibrant and competitive edition in 2026 in Australia where the unrivalled passion for the women’s game is so palpable, setting the perfect stage for Uzbekistan to surpass all expectations in 2029,” said Shaikh Salman.
“We wish the respective Local Organising Committees of both member associations the very best of success in their planning and preparation and I know the Asian football family joins me in reinforcing our confidence in Football Australia and the Uzbekistan Football Association to elevate the ever-evolving stature and growth of women’s football in Asia.”
Australia and Uzbekistan were recommended as hosts in March in Tashkent on the eve of the Women’s Under-20 Asian Cup final.
Australia was the only remaining bidder for 2026 following the withdrawals of Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan, while Uzbekistan was the sole contender for the 2029 tournament.
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