AFC Women's Asian Cup
Held across Perth, Gold Coast and Sydney, the 21st edition of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ saw Japan defeat hosts Australia to claim a third title and left an indelible mark on the women’s game as several records were shattered, including a sold-out crowd of 74,397 fans at the Final, while a staggering overall 358,414 spectators attended the competition’s 27 matches.
Comprising an in-depth overview of all the action, the publication features several notable segments, including an exclusive interview with Nils Nielsen, the first foreign head coach of the Nadeshiko, who offers insights into the coaching philosophy that allowed him to lead the East Asians to one of their most memorable campaigns.
Meanwhile, the AFC’s Technical Observers Team provides readers with an overview of the trends that shaped the competition, ranging from the contrasting approaches adopted by Asia’s benchmark and emerging teams – from deep defensive blocks to aggressive high pressing – to the evolving role of full-backs as key attacking catalysts.
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In another intriguing segment, the experts explore the role of the modern goalkeeper, examining how custodians are increasingly required to contribute to build-up play and serve as an integral component of their teams’ tactical structures.
The report also contains concise summaries of each participating team’s defining characteristics, allowing readers to revisit their journeys throughout the tournament, while also highlighting innovations such as the full implementation of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) and Digital Substitution System across all matches, reflecting the AFC’s continued commitment to innovation and excellence.
Replete with technical insight, tactical analysis and compelling data, the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Technical Report—available here—serves as an invaluable resource for coaches, technical experts and football enthusiasts alike, offering a fascinating retrospective of the grandest celebration of women’s football in Asia to date.
