The AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ has launched its multicultural Community Champions program, welcoming more than 200 community leaders to help bring the excitement, colour and cultural pride of Asia’s most prestigious women’s football tournament to life.
Designed to deepen engagement with the tournament’s participating nations, Community Champions are empowered to help increase awareness and drive attendances – ensuring that visiting teams will feel at home when the competition kicks off on 1 March 2026 with the Matildas blockbuster encounter against the Philippines and the Opening Ceremony at Perth Stadium.
The AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ will feature 12 nations – Australia, Korea Republic, IR Iran, Philippines, DPR Korea, China PR, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Japan, Vietnam, India and Chinese Taipei – competing across 27 matches in Perth, Gold Coast and Sydney, culminating with the showpiece Final at Stadium Australia on 21 March 2026.
Community Champions were inducted at events in Sydney, Perth, the Gold Coast and Brisbane, featuring cultural performances celebrating the vibrancy of multicultural Australia and guest speakers including football legends, current players and government representatives.
Comprising figures from football clubs and community associations to business leaders, consular officials and community media, Community Champions will help build grassroots support and share tournament information across their networks in the lead-up to next year’s event. The Community Champions program is managed by CulturalPulse on behalf of the Local Organising Committee of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026™.
In Sydney, Sarah Walsh, Chief Operating Officer of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Local Organising Committee, spoke about the importance of the program, while seven members of the First Matildas squad who competed at the inaugural Women’s Asian Cup in Hong Kong in 1975, shared their stories, with Philippines international Janae DeFazio also in attendance. On the Gold Coast, former Young Matildas and Brisbane Roar player Hollie Palmer was a special guest while in Perth guest speakers included Hon. Reece Whitby MLA, WA Minister for Tourism, and First Matildas captain Pat O’Connor.
The AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ is on track to be the most high-profile and record-breaking edition in the tournament’s history. With tickets starting from just $20 for adults and $10 for children, fans are being urged to lock in their seats now to avoid disappointment.
Quote attributable to Chief Operating Officer of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Local Organising Committee, Sarah Walsh:
“The Community Champions represent the heart and soul of this tournament. Through their passion and community connections, we’ll showcase the incredible diversity of Australia’s football community and ensure that every nation feels supported, celebrated and truly at home during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026. This program helps bring fans, communities and cultures together.”
Buy tickets: Lock in your tickets here.
Learn more: For tournament related information and updates head here.
Tournament Media Accreditation
Accreditation is now open for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, If you wish to cover the event in any of the three host cities, you must apply for your accreditation via the AFC Media Channel. CLICK HERE to start applying.
Please note: You will first need to register for the AFC Media Channel. Once your registration is approved you will then need to apply for accreditation for the tournament through the AFC Media Channel.
Media accreditation applications close on Sunday, 21st December 2025, for foreign Media, and Wednesday, 31st December 2025, for local Media. to business leaders, consular officials and community media, Community Champions will help build grassroots support and share tournament information across their networks in the lead-up to next year’s event. The Community Champions program is managed by CulturalPulse on behalf of the Local Organising Committee of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026™.
In Sydney, Sarah Walsh, Chief Operating Officer of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Local Organising Committee, spoke about the importance of the program, while seven members of the First Matildas squad who competed at the inaugural Women’s Asian Cup in Hong Kong in 1975, shared their stories, with Philippines international Janae DeFazio also in attendance. On the Gold Coast, former Young Matildas and Brisbane Roar player Hollie Palmer was a special guest while in Perth guest speakers included Hon. Reece Whitby MLA, WA Minister for Tourism, and First Matildas captain Pat O’Connor.
The AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ is on track to be the most high-profile and record-breaking edition in the tournament’s history. With tickets starting from just $20 for adults and $10 for children, fans are being urged to lock in their seats now to avoid disappointment.
Quote attributable to Chief Operating Officer of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Local Organising Committee, Sarah Walsh:
“The Community Champions represent the heart and soul of this tournament. Through their passion and community connections, we’ll showcase the incredible diversity of Australia’s football community and ensure that every nation feels supported, celebrated and truly at home during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026.
This program helps bring fans, communities and cultures together.”
