2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup knockout stage

Last updated

The 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup knockout stage will be the second and final stage of the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup final tournament. It will begin on 13 March with the quarter-finals and will end on 21 March 2026 with the final. [1]

Contents

All times are local. [1]

Format

In the knockout stage, extra time and a penalty shoot-out were used to decide the winner if necessary (Regulations Article 10.1). [2]

Combinations of matches in the quarter-finals

The specific matchups involving the third-placed teams depend on which two third-placed teams qualify for the quarter-finals. [2]

Combinations of matches in the quarter-finals
No.Third-placed teams
advance from groups
1A
vs
1C
vs
1AB3B3A
2AC3C3A
3BC3C3B

Qualified teams

The top two placed teams from each of the three groups, along with the two best-ranked third-placed teams, will qualify for the knockout stage.

GroupWinnersRunners-upThird-placed teams
(Best two qualify)
A
B
C

Bracket

 
Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final
 
          
 
14 March – Sydney (SA)
 
 
Group A winner
 
18 March – Sydney (SA)
 
Group B/C third place
 
Quarter-final 1 winner
 
15 March – Sydney (SA)
 
Quarter-final 3 winner
 
Group C winner
 
21 March – Sydney (SA)
 
Group A/B third place
 
Semi-final 1 winner
 
14 March – Perth (PRS)
 
Semi-final 2 winner
 
Group B winner
 
17 March – Perth (PS)
 
Group C runner-up
 
Quarter-final 2 winner
 
13 March – Perth (PRS)
 
Quarter-final 4 winner
 
Group A runner-up
 
 
Group B runner-up
 
19 March – Gold Coast
Quarter final 1 loser
Quarter final 3 loser
19 March – Gold Coast
Quarter final 2 loser
Quarter final 4 loser

Quarter-finals

The winners will qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. The losers will advance to the play-in matches.

Group A runner-up vs Group B runner-up

Group A runner-upvGroup B runner-up

Group B winner vs Group C runner-up

Group B winnervGroup C runner-up

Group A winner vs Group B/C third place

Group A winnervGroup B/C third place

Group C winner vs Group A/B third place

Group C winnervGroup A/B third place

Play-in matches

The winners will qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. The losers will advance to the inter-confederation play-offs.

Quarter-final 1 loser vs Quarter-final 3 loser

Quarter-final 1 loservQuarter-final 3 loser

Quarter-final 2 loser vs Quarter-final 4 loser

Quarter-final 2 loservQuarter-final 4 loser

Semi-finals

Quarter-final 2 winner vs Quarter-final 4 winner

Quarter-final 2 winnervQuarter-final 4 winner

Quarter-final 1 winner vs Quarter-final 3 winner

Quarter-final 1 winnervQuarter-final 3 winner

Final

Semi-final 1 winnervSemi-final 2 winner


References

  1. 1 2 "AFC Women's Asian Cup™ Australia 2026 Match Schedule" (PDF). the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  2. 1 2 "AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 Competition Regulations" (PDF). AFC . 15 May 2025. p. 27, 28. Retrieved 13 January 2026.