News

Japan’s Nagasoto calls time on illustrious career

Thu, 06 Mar, 2025

Japan’s Nagasoto calls time on illustrious career

Tokyo: FIFA Women's World Cup winner Yuki Nagasato, who made history with a brief spell playing for a men's team, said she had given "every last drop" as the Japanese striker announced her retirement from football.

The 37-year-old, part of the Japan team that lifted the FIFA World Cup in 2011, brought the curtain down on a 23-year career that saw her play in Germany, England, the United States, Australia and her home country.

AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ match schedule revealed

Wed, 26 Feb, 2025

AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ match schedule revealed

Kuala Lumpur: With just over a year to go until the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ kicks off, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) have unveiled the official match schedule of Asia’s premier women’s national team competition. 

Scheduled to take place from March 1 to 21, 2026, the Continental showpiece will see 12 teams in action across three vibrant host cities –  Sydney, Perth and Gold Coast, each featuring spectacular venues, including those used to host matches of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023.

Entries for AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Qualifiers confirmed

Wed, 05 Feb, 2025

Entries for AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Qualifiers confirmed

Kuala Lumpur: The race to qualify for the next edition of Asia’s most prestigious women’s national team football competition marked its latest milestone today with 37 Member Associations (MAs) confirming their interest to compete in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™.

The Participating MAs will be aiming to clinch the eight available berths to join hosts Australia and the top three sides from the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ – defending champions China PR, runners-up Korea Republic and third-placed Japan – at the 2026 Continental showpiece, which will be held from March 1 to 21, 2026.

Ikeda appointed Thailand women’s head coach

Fri, 10 Jan, 2025

Ikeda appointed Thailand women’s head coach

Bangkok: Futoshi Ikeda has been named as Thailand women’s head coach, an appointment which takes him out of his native Japan for the first time. 

Ikeda has been tasked with the responsibility of taking Thailand to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027, with the Southeast Asian nation having missed out on the 2023 edition co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

Bangladesh retain title

Wed, 30 Oct, 2024

Bangladesh retain title

Kathmandu: Defending champions Bangladesh won the SAFF Women’s Championship 2024, beating hosts Nepal 2-1 in the final played at the Dasharath Stadium Kathmandu on Wednesday.

The win saw Bangladesh lifting the title for a second time while it was Nepal's sixth runners-up finish.

Shin takes over as Korea Republic women’s head coach

Fri, 11 Oct, 2024

Shin takes over as Korea Republic women’s head coach

Seoul: Korea Football Association has announced the appointment of Shin Sang-woo as the head coach of the women’s national team.

Shin takes over from Colin Bell, who stepped down in June. 

Milicic has plans for China PR

Fri, 24 May, 2024

Milicic has plans for China PR

Xianghe: Ante Milicic said his first order of business as the China PR women's national team head coach is to get to know his players.

The Australian, announced as head coach of the nine-time AFC Women's Asian Cup™ champions on May 11, said he will also focus on revamping China PR's style of play.

Australia and Uzbekistan confirmed as 2026 and 2029 AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ hosts

Wed, 15 May, 2024

Australia and Uzbekistan confirmed as 2026 and 2029 AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ hosts

Bangkok: Australia and Uzbekistan have been confirmed as the hosts of the 2026 and 2029 editions of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ respectively after the AFC Executive Committee today ratified the AFC Women’s Football Committee’s recommendations at its third meeting held in Bangkok, Thailand, on the eve of the 34th AFC Congress.

In congratulating both MAs, AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “On behalf of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), I would like to thank the other three initial bidders for the 2026 edition – Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan – for submitting their interests and I offer our sincere congratulations to Football Australia and the Uzbekistan Football Association on being confirmed as hosts of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ in 2026 and 2029 respectively.

Korea Republic's Phair destined to create more history

Sun, 17 Mar, 2024

Korea Republic's Phair destined to create more history

Los Angeles: Casey Phair made history last year when she became the youngest player ever to appear at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Now, as the 16-year-old Korea Republic forward embarks on the next step in her career with Angel City FC in the United States, she talks to the-AFC.com.

Casey Phair has yet to turn 17 but she already knows what it is like to live her life in the glare of an intense media spotlight.
 
In July last year, aged 16 years and 26 days, the United States-raised striker broke Nigerian Ifeanyi Chiejine’s record to become the youngest player to feature at the FIFA Women’s World Cup when she appeared in Korea Republic’s 2-0 loss against Colombia.

Saudi Arabia well on course to achieve target, says Cortes

Sat, 16 Mar, 2024

Saudi Arabia well on course to achieve target, says Cortes

Kuala Lumpur: In December, Spaniard Lluis Cortes was handed the task of turning Saudi Arabia’s national team inside a side capable of qualifying for the leading tournaments in women’s football. The 2021 UEFA Women’s Coach of the Year tells the-AFC.com about the path that lies ahead.

January 12, 2018 was a significant milestone in the growth of football in Saudi Arabia; on that date women were – for the first time – permitted to attend domestic league matches in person, heralding the relaxation of decades of religious conservatism in the kingdom.

Australia and Uzbekistan recommended as hosts for 2026 and 2029 editions of AFC Women’s Asian Cup™

Fri, 15 Mar, 2024

Australia and Uzbekistan recommended as hosts for 2026 and 2029 editions of AFC Women’s Asian Cup™

Tashkent: Football Australia and the Uzbekistan Football Association (UFA) have been recommended as the Host Associations of the 2026 and 2029 editions of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ respectively by the AFC Women’s Football Committee today at its second meeting held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. While certain formalities of the bidding process are in the midst of being finalised, the Committee has mandated the AFC Administration to confirm the award of the Hosting Rights once all requirements are met.

Held on the eve of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 Final between DPR Korea and Japan, Chairperson Ms. Kanya Keomany commenced proceedings by congratulating the two finalists on their commendable campaigns whilst also applauding the UFA for their exceptional organisational capabilities over the 14-day tournament.

Jordan edge Nepal in shootout to retain title

Fri, 01 Mar, 2024

Jordan edge Nepal in shootout to retain title

Jeddah: Jordan emerged champions of the West Asian Football Federation Women's Championship 2024 with a 5-3 penalty shootout win over Nepal after the final ended 2-2 on Thursday.

It was Jordan's fourth consecutive title and sixth overall but they had to work hard to see off the challenge of a spirited Nepal side.