India has been placed in Group B alongside Thailand, Mongolia, Timor Leste, and Iraq for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 Qualifiers. The draw was conducted on Thursday at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur. Group B matches will be hosted by Thailand between June 23 and July 5, 2025, in a centralised single round-robin format, with the group winners advancing to the final tournament in Australia.
In total, 34 teams will compete for eight spots in the 21st edition of the Continental showpiece. Hosts Australia and the top three teams from the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 — China, Korea Republic, and Japan — have already qualified. The top six teams from the tournament will also earn spots in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.
Other notable groups include Group A, which features Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Singapore, and Bhutan, and Group G, where the Philippines, Hong Kong, China, Cambodia, and Saudi Arabia will compete.
The qualifiers are crucial as teams aim for both continental glory and a chance to compete on the world stage in 2027.
Draw Result
Group A: Islamic Republic of Iran, Jordan (H), Lebanon, Singapore, Bhutan
Group B: Thailand (H), India, Mongolia, Timor-Leste, Iraq
Group C: Myanmar (H), Bahrain, Bangladesh, Turkmenistan
Group D: Chinese Taipei, Indonesia (H), Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan
Group E: Vietnam (H), Guam, United Arab Emirates, Maldives
Group F: Uzbekistan (H), Nepal, Laos, Sri Lanka
Group G: Philippines, Hong Kong, China, Cambodia (H), Saudi Arabia
Group H: DPR Korea, Malaysia, Palestine, Tajikistan (H)
(With IANS inputs)
