India's Journey in AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026: Group C Matches Announced

India is gearing up for the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026, having been drawn into Group C with Japan, Vietnam, and Chinese Taipei. The tournament kicks off on March 4, 2026, with India facing Vietnam in their opening match. The Blue Tigresses will also take on Japan and Chinese Taipei in a bid to advance to the quarter-finals. The competition will be held in Australia, with the final scheduled for March 21, 2026. This article provides a detailed overview of India's fixtures and the tournament structure, highlighting the significance of this event for women's football in India.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 30, 2025, 02:05 IST

India's Group Stage Matches in AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026

New Delhi, July 29: India has been placed in Group C for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026, alongside Japan, Vietnam, and Chinese Taipei. The final draw took place at the Sydney Town Hall on Tuesday.

As per the All India Football Federation (AIFF), India will kick off their campaign against Vietnam on March 4 at the Perth Rectangular Stadium.

Following this, India will compete against Japan on March 7 at the same venue, and then face Chinese Taipei on March 10 at the Western Sydney Stadium.

The draw's pot allocations were determined based on the FIFA Women’s World Ranking as of June 12, with India ranked 70th and placed in Pot 4.

In contrast, Japan holds the 7th position globally, while Vietnam is ranked 37th and Chinese Taipei is at 42nd.

Sangita Basfore, a midfielder for the Blue Tigresses, who scored twice in the final qualifier against Thailand to secure India's spot in Australia, was one of the three draw assistants on Tuesday, alongside Tameka Yallop from Australia and Jeon Yu-gyeong from Korea Republic.

The host nation, Australia, is in Group A with Korea Republic, Iran, and the Philippines, while Group B features DPR Korea, China, Bangladesh, and Uzbekistan.

The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, will advance to the quarter-finals. The four quarter-final winners will earn a place in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.

Quarter-finalists who do not win will participate in play-offs for the two additional direct spots allocated to the AFC for the World Cup. The two teams that lose in these play-offs will have another opportunity to qualify for Brazil through inter-confederation play-offs.

The quarter-finals are scheduled for March 13 to 15, with the semi-finals on March 17 and 18, taking place in Sydney and Perth. The final of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 will be held at Sydney’s Stadium Australia on March 21, the same venue that hosted the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Final.

Play-offs for the World Cup qualifying spots for the losing quarter-finalists will occur in the Gold Coast on March 19.

AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 Final draw results:

Group A: Australia, Korea Republic, Iran, Philippines

Group B: DPR Korea, China PR, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan

Group C: Japan, Vietnam, India, Chinese Taipei

India’s fixtures in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026:

March 4, 2026: Vietnam vs India (Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth)

March 7, 2026: India vs Japan (Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth)

March 10, 2026: India vs Chinese Taipei (Western Sydney Stadium, Sydney).