Group A
Australia
The hosts will be determined to end their 16-year wait for a second continental title. Head coach Joe Montemurro will look to transfer his wealth of experience in European club football to guide the talented Matildas’ side to success on home soil.

Also at stake will be a 10th successive appearance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup - advancing to the semi-finals will confirm their ticket - but Australia’s target will be the title.

Key to their hopes will be their senior players although Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler remain doubts after suffering long term injuries. Australia, however, have adequate experience to fall back on with the likes of Steph Catley and Ellie Carpenter.

Korea Republic
The heartbreak of losing the 2022 final to China PR will spur Korea Republic as the East Asian side look to finally land the biggest prize in the continent.

Under head coach Shin Sang-woo, there’s a growing confidence in the team and lifting the EAFF E-1 Football Women’s Championship 2025 will provide a confidence boost for the Taegeuk Ladies.

Shin will aim to get the best out of his mix of experienced and young players, with the evergreen Ji So-yun leading their charge.

IR Iran
Islamic Republic of Iran had to do it the hard way to secure a second successive appearance at the continental showpiece. Defeat to Lebanon in the Qualifiers almost put paid to their hopes of reaching Australia 2026 but Marziyeh Jafari’s side produced their best to edge Jordan to take the sole qualifying spot in Group A.

Jafari has in her arsenal a good spine from back to front with Fatemeh Imani in defence, the dependable midfield pairing of Zahra Sarbali and Zahra Ghanbari and the pacy Negin Zandi in attack ensuring the Central Asian side will be a tough challenge for any team.

Philippines
One of Asia’s rising teams, Philippines will be out to cement their place in the upper echelons of the women’s game after securing a third consecutive Finals spot with little fuss, topping Qualifiers Group G in perfect fashion.

Mark Torcaso’s side had an unblemished record in the Qualifiers, winning all three matches with a total 10 goals and conceding none. Their defence will need to continue their excellence at Australia 2026 if they are to equal - if not better - their semi-final finish of 2022.

Group B
DPR Korea
Three-time champions DPR Korea return to the Finals for the first time since finishing runners-up to Australia in the 2010 edition with Ri Song Ho’s side headlining the cast in Group B.

Ri’s side were simply irresistible in their Qualifiers Group G campaign, scoring 26 goals in wins against Tajikistan, Palestine and Malaysia with Kim Kyong Yong and Myong Yu Jong scoring 11 between them.

They will be powered by players from their impressive youth squads and this will add more intrigue to a team as they look to win the title for a fourth time.

China PR
Defending champions China PR - seeking a record-extending 10th title - already have an advantage as they will play all their Group C matches at the Western Sydney Stadium, much to the delight of head coach Ante Milicic.

The Australian assumed the role in May and has already seen his team hold Japan and Korea Republic to draws in the EAFF E-1 Championship and will expect to field an even more capable squad next March.

Bangladesh
The only debutant side in the tournament, Bangladesh surprised everyone with their effervescent attacking display in the Qualifiers, denying Myanmar a sixth appearance as the South Asian side roared to the top of Group C.

Peter Butler’s side started their campaign with a 7-0 win against Bahrain before edging Myanmar 2-1 and sealed their qualification with an impressive 7-0 victory against Turkmenistan and the likes of Ritu Porna and Shamsunnahar will aim to continue from where they left off at Australia 2026.

Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan triumphed in a titanic battle against Nepal to finish top in Group F to seal a return to the Finals for the first time since 2023.

The Central Asian side can expect even tougher challenges at the Finals but head coach Kotryna Kulbyte has masterminded an improvement in the squad and the Lithuanian will be focused on making her players even better before their continental challenge.

Group C
Japan
Former FIFA Women’s World Cup winners Japan will leave no stone unturned in their efforts to land a third AFC Women’s Asian Cup title, with the East Asian side calling Perth their home during the group stage.

Head coach Nils Nielsen knows his side will be the team to beat in Group C but the Dane will not be taking lightly the challenge posed by Vietnam, India and Chinese Taipei as they look to justify their position as the best ranked side in Asia.

Vietnam
Consistency is the name of the game for Vietnam with the Southeast Asian side to make their 10th straight Finals’ appearance, with veteran head coach Mai Duc Chung returning to spearhead their challenge.

Vietnam coasted through the Qualifiers, finishing top of Group E with an impeccable record of three wins, scoring 17 times without reply against the United Arab Emirates, Guam and Maldives.

Experienced forward Huynh Nhu will be the catalyst as Vietnam not only target a good showing at Australia 2026 but also reach a second successive FIFA Women’s World Cup.

India
Illness robbed India the chance to shine when they hosted the 2022 edition and this will serve as added motivation at Australia 2026.

A splendid qualifying campaign saw the South Asian side earning their ticket to the Finals on merit for the first time, with Crispin Chettri’s side beating the odds to top Group B at host Thailand’s expense.

Sangita Basfore stole the show with a brace in the 2-1 win against Thailand but India’s strength lies in teamwork and Chettri will work to ensure this aspect of his side’s game is perfect at Australia 2026.

Chinese Taipei
Chan Hiu Ming was pleased with the draw with the head coach’s minimum target being advancing from the group stage for a second successive edition.

Three-time champions but struggling to make a mark in recent times, Chinese Taipei played attacking football in wins over Pakistan, Kyrgyz Republic and Indonesia to secure the Qualifiers Group D top spot.

Su Yu-hsuan was the star - scoring in each of the matches - but Chan will be working on improving more of his players as he bids to take Chinese Taipei back to the top of Asian women’s football.