Matildas Face Tough Group Against Asian Powerhouses in 2026 Women's Asian Cup

The Matildas are preparing for the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup, which they will host, facing a challenging group that includes South Korea, Iran, and the Philippines. This marks their first major tournament under new head coach Joe Montemurro, who has limited time to build the team after taking over in June 2025. The Matildas aim to improve on their quarter-final exit in the 2022 Asian Cup, where South Korea eliminated them with a last-minute goal, ending their bid for a second continental title. Australia’s squad has evolved significantly due to retirements and injuries, and their current form under Montemurro has been mixed, with some promising friendly results against South Korea. The tournament doubles as a qualification pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, making progression to at least the semi-finals critical for direct qualification. With matches set to take place across Perth, Sydney, and the Gold Coast, the Matildas face pressure to perform on home soil while engaging Australia’s broad Asian diaspora to fill stadiums and support their quest for Asian Cup glory.