The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on June 14, 2023, that Australia will host the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup, the 21st edition of the continental championship for women's national teams.[1]

The tournament features 16 teams competing in a group stage followed by knockout rounds. Iran women's national football team qualified for the event through the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 qualifying rounds held in 2024 and 2025.[1][2]

Iran has participated in the Women's Asian Cup since 2010, with their best performance a fourth-place finish at the 2018 edition hosted by Jordan.[2]

Key players for Iran include forward Fatemeh Pasandideh, who captains the team and plays club football for Saipa in the Iranian Women's Premier League, and goalkeeper Atefeh Ramezanisadeh.[3][4]

The Iranian team has previously drawn international attention for players remaining silent during the national anthem before matches, including a friendly against Uzbekistan in October 2023.[5]

Australia, as host, enters as one of the favourites, having won the 2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup on home soil and reached the quarter-finals at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.[1][2]

Sources

1. AFC, "AUSTRALIA TO HOST AFC WOMEN’S ASIAN CUP 2026™", 14 June 2023, https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_womens_asian_cup/news/australia_to_host_afc_womens_asian_cup_2026_.html
2. Wikipedia, "2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup", accessed 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_AFC_Women%27s_Asian_Cup
3. Transfermarkt, "Fatemeh Pasandideh Profile", accessed 2024, https://www.transfermarkt.com/fatemeh-pasandideh/profil/spieler/843678
4. Transfermarkt, "Atefeh Ramezanisadeh Profile", accessed 2024, https://www.transfermarkt.com/atefeh-ramezanisadeh/profil/spieler/1003537
5. Reuters, "Iranian women footballers refuse to sing anthem during friendly with Uzbekistan", 27 October 2023, https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/iranian-women-footballers-refuse-sing-anthem-during-friendly-with-uzbekistan-2023-10-27/