Australian Mark Torcaso will serve as head coach of the Philippine team in the 2026 Asian Football Cup (AFC) Women’s Asian Cup. He said the team needs to be ready for the tough challenge ahead. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Football Federation)
Host nation Australia is gearing up for an electrifying start to the AFC Women’s Asia Cup next year as it takes on the Philippines in the tournament’s opening match in Perth.
Drawn into Group A, the world’s No. 15-ranked Matildas are grouped with 41st-ranked Philippines, South Korea (21), and Iran (68), setting the stage for a highly competitive round-robin phase.
Australian head coach Joe Montemurro emphasized the unpredictability of tournament football. “Any draw is tricky. We’re talking about 12 strong teams, and anything can happen on the day,” he said in a statement published by the Asian Football Confederation. “Our focus is on the opening match against the Philippines. It’s going to be a fantastic occasion in Perth, and we’re taking it moment by moment. That’s what tournament football is all about.”
Montemurro, who previously led Juventus Women in Italy from 2021 to 2024, said the team isn’t looking too far ahead. “We don’t want to think beyond our next opponent. That mindset is key to navigating group play.”
Veteran midfielder Tameka Yallop echoed her coach’s sentiments. “We’ve faced the Philippines before in Perth, and I’m excited to play them again,” said the 34-year-old Brisbane Roar standout. “In a tournament like this, there’s no room for overconfidence. We’re focused on getting through the group stage first before thinking of what comes next.”
On the other side, the Philippines is bracing for a challenging group that complicates its bid to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Despite the tough draw, head coach Mark Torcaso is keeping a positive outlook.
“It was always going to be tough, no matter who we were matched with,” said Torcaso. “But to face the host country in the opening game, in front of a big crowd, is going to be a great experience. We just need to focus on our preparation and stick to our game plan. That’s our best chance to advance.”
South Korea’s head coach Shin Sang-woo also weighed in, calling their Group A opponents “excellent teams.” He’s particularly looking forward to their clash with Australia. “We want to top the group, and that means beating Australia. We faced them in April, and we’ll use that experience to our advantage.”
The tournament will see the top two teams from each group advance to the quarterfinals, along with the two best third-placers. The four semifinalists will earn automatic spots in the 2027 World Cup, while the quarterfinal losers will compete in a play-in round to claim the final two qualification slots.
Group B includes defending champion China, North Korea, Bangladesh, and Uzbekistan. Group C features 2022 bronze medalists Japan, alongside India, Chinese Taipei, and Vietnam.