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.
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 Fil-Aus Community Champions who attended the launch in Sydney on November 6, comprised of Michelle Baltazar; Elsa Collado; Alric Bulseco; Irene Villamar; Rey Manoto; Marisa Manoto;Serna Ladia; Rowena Turnbull; Ronaldo Villaver; Manny Diel; Angie Servillon; Marco Selorio and yours truly. Aside from getting excited with meeting the legendary members of the original Matilda team, the additional highlight for the Fil-Aus contingent was getting another opportunity to catch up and have photos with Janae DeFazio, recent recruit of the Western Sydney Wanderers FC and member of the Filipinas team to compete next year at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™.
The Filipinas team's first game is vs Australia on 1st March at 17:00 to be held at Perth Stadium. Filipinas' two games will be at the Gold Coast Stadium on 5th March vs Korea Republic and 8th March vs IR Iran. Let us share this information with our kababayans in the two locations to reserve their tickets now so they don't miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to cheer on the Philippines Laban Filipinas team.
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.
Buy tickets: Lock in your tickets here.
Learn more: For tournament related information and updates head here.
Calling all our kababayans in Perth and in the Gold Coast! We hope to see you there for a sporting event of a lifetime!