AFC Asian Cup Women

AFC Asian Cup Women

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Wikipedia - AFC Women's Asian Cup

The AFC Women's Asian Cup (formerly known as the AFC Women's Championship) is a quadrennial competition in women's football for national teams which belong to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). It is the oldest women's international football competition and premier women's football competition in the AFC region for national teams. The competition is also known as the Asian Women's Football Championship and the Asian Women's Championship. 20 tournaments have been held, with the current champions being China PR. The competitions until 2026 also serve as Asian qualifying tournament for the FIFA Women's World Cup.

History

The competition was set up by the Asian Ladies Football Confederation (ALFC), a part of the AFC responsible for women's football. The first competition was held in 1975 and was held every two years after this, except for a period in the 1980s where the competition was held every three years. The ALFC was initially a separate organisation but was absorbed into the AFC in 1986.

From 1975 to 1981, matches were 60 minutes in duration.

The competition has been dominated by countries from the Pacific Rim or Eastern Asia (including East and Southeast Asia), with the China women's national football team having won 9 times, including a series of 7 consecutive victories as of 2022 edition. Countries from Central and West Asia have been rather less successful, with only Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Jordan and Iran having qualified so far. Eastern Asia has also been far more frequent in participating in the FIFA Women's World Cup, with five strongest women's teams of Asia (China, North Korea, Japan, Australia and South Korea) hail from this part.

The tournament frequency changed to every 4 years effective from 2010, after AFC had announced that the Asian Cup will additionally serve as the qualification rounds of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Until 2003, teams were invited by the AFC to compete. From 2006, a separate qualification was established and the number of teams will be decided by the merit by qualification process. The name of the tournament was also changed to as the "AFC Women's Asian Cup", to reflect the change and reforms of the competition.

The tournament was expanded from eight teams to twelve starting from the 2022 edition.

On 20 August 2023, AFC has decided to shift the AFC Women's Asian Cup to non-FIFA Women's World Cup odd years, which will see the edition after the upcoming 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup takes place in 2029 instead of 2030.

On 13 September 2024, AFC announced the change in the format of their women's national team competitions, including a new qualifying format for the Women's Asian Cup. In addition, the Women's Asian Cup will no longer serve as Asian qualifying tournament for the FIFA Women's World Cup from 2031 and instead serve as qualification for AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament since 2028.

**AFC Asian Cup Women: Tournament Description**

The AFC Asian Cup Women is the premier international women's soccer tournament in Asia, organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). This prestigious competition showcases the continent's top national teams, bringing together elite female athletes from across Asia to compete for the coveted title of Asian champions.

Held every four years, the tournament features a thrilling format that includes a series of qualification rounds leading up to the final event. The participating teams, representing their nations with pride, battle it out in a series of matches that highlight the skill, determination, and passion of women's soccer. The tournament not only serves as a platform for showcasing talent but also plays a crucial role in promoting women's sports and inspiring future generations of female athletes.

The AFC Asian Cup Women is known for its vibrant atmosphere, with fans from diverse backgrounds coming together to support their teams. The event fosters camaraderie and cultural exchange, celebrating the rich tapestry of Asian football. As the tournament progresses, it captures the attention of soccer enthusiasts worldwide, with matches broadcasted across various platforms, ensuring that the excitement reaches fans far and wide.

In addition to the competitive spirit, the AFC Asian Cup Women emphasizes the importance of sportsmanship, teamwork, and empowerment. It aims to elevate women's soccer in Asia, encouraging greater participation and investment in the sport at all levels. With each edition, the tournament continues to break barriers and set new standards, paving the way for the future of women's football in the region.

Join us in celebrating the strength, skill, and spirit of women's soccer at the AFC Asian Cup Women, where legends are born, and dreams come true!