Desk Report,
Two former champions in Bangladesh’s group at Women’s Asian Cup
Bangladesh have been drawn in the Women’s Asian Cup to be held in Australia in March next year with nine-time champions China and three-time champions North Korea. Another opponent is Uzbekistan.
Two former champions in Bangladesh’s group at Women’s Asian Cup
The draw was held at Sydney Town Hall today. The AFC had invited the captains and coaches of all participating countries. But none of Bangladesh, who have made it to the main stage of the Asian Cup for the first time in history, were present at the draw ceremony. China is the most successful team in the Women’s Asian Cup so far. They have won the most number of titles in the competition since 1986, with nine. China will face Peter Butler’s team in the first match on March 3. Bangladesh’s opponent in their second match on March 6 is the ninth-ranked team North Korea. The country, which has played the Asian Cup 10 times since 1989, won the title in 2001, 2003 and 2008. Uzbekistan, which has played in the tournament five times, has made it to the group stage. Bangladesh will face them in the final match of the group stage on March 9. The 21st edition of the Asian Cup will be held at five venues in Australia from March 1 to 21, 2026. The eight teams that reach the quarterfinals in the 12-team competition will have the opportunity to play in the 2027 Brazil World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
In the 12-team tournament, four teams from three groups will compete for the knockout stage. The top two teams from each of the three groups will advance directly to the quarterfinals. Along with them, the top two teams from the three third-placed teams in the group stage will also have the opportunity to play in the last eight. Bangladesh’s women’s team broke all past records in the Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers this time. The women did not win a single one of their five matches in the 2014 and 2022 editions. But in the Asian qualifiers held in Myanmar from June 29 to July 5, Tahura-Afiidara won three out of three matches. Bangladesh defeated Bahrain, who were 36 places ahead in the rankings, 7-0 in their first match in the qualifiers. In the second match, they won 2-1 against Myanmar, who were 73 places ahead in the rankings. Bangladesh secured their place in the finals after winning their first two matches. In the third match, they easily defeated Turkmenistan, who were 13 places behind them in the rankings, 7-0.
