AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026: Group Stage Drama Sets Up Exciting Knockout Battles -

By Shakeel ur Rehman
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
The AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 in Australia has delivered thrilling football, dominant performances and dramatic finishes as Asia’s top teams battled through an intense group stage to reach the knockout rounds.
Hosted across major venues in Sydney and Perth, the tournament has showcased the rapid growth of women’s football in Asia, with traditional powerhouses asserting their strength while emerging teams also made their mark.
Strong Performances in the Group Stage
Group A saw a fierce contest between hosts Australia women’s national football team and South Korea women’s national football team. Both teams finished level on seven points, but Korea Republic secured top spot on goal difference while Australia settled for second place.
The Philippines women’s national football team finished third in the group and advanced to the quarter-finals as one of the best third-placed teams, marking their second consecutive appearance in the knockout stage of the continental tournament.
Group B was dominated by defending champions China PR women’s national football team and former champions North Korea women’s national football team. China PR produced a flawless campaign, winning all three matches to finish with nine points.
DPR Korea also impressed with strong performances to secure second place, while Uzbekistan women’s national football team advanced as one of the two best third-placed teams.
Group C belonged to the tournament’s most prolific side, Japan women’s national football team. Japan were unstoppable, winning all three matches while scoring 17 goals without conceding a single goal.
Three-time champions Chinese Taipei women’s national football team finished second in the group with six points to secure their place in the knockout stage.
Quarter-final Showdowns
With the group stage concluded, the tournament now moves into the highly anticipated quarter-finals, where Asia’s elite teams will battle for a place in the semi-finals.
South Korea will face Uzbekistan, while hosts Australia are set for a blockbuster clash against DPR Korea in Perth. China PR will meet Chinese Taipei in a high-profile encounter between two historically successful teams, while Japan will take on the Philippines.
The knockout matches promise intense competition as the remaining teams continue their quest to lift Asia’s most prestigious women’s football trophy.
With several former champions still in contention and emerging teams eager to create history, the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia is building towards what could be one of the most exciting finishes in the tournament’s history.