The Matildas will grace the Gold Coast on March 5 next year as part of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
The draw, released this week, sees the Australian football stars take on IR Iran at the Gold Coast Stadium, at Robina, in a pool match.
The stadium will also host pool matches for the Korean Republic and Philippines, as well as two play-off matches featuring defeated quarter-finalists facing off for a last-chance qualification to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil in 2027.
Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci said the March 5 game would be the Matildas’ second match of the tournament, which is being played across the Gold Coast, Sydney and Perth, from March 1 to 21, featuring the top 12 nations from Asia.
“Following the incredible success of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 in our backyard and with Brisbane 2032 on the horizon, the hosting of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 firmly positions Queensland as a go-to destination for major international sporting events, and highlights the crucial requirement for local football infrastructure to keep pace with the demands of global football content,” Mr Cavallucci said.
Queensland Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said the goal was to make Queensland the nation’s events capital with more events like the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
Minister Powell said hosting the event was expected to generate $12.5 million in visitor spend for Queensland.
“Events of this calibre are a great opportunity to showcase the beauty of our glittering Gold Coast – we want people to come for the matches and stay for everything else we have to offer,” he said.
“We will continue attracting world-class events for locals and visitors as we make the most of the green and gold runway.”
The Gold Coast will host the following matches:
- Monday, March 2, 2026: Korea Republic v IR Iran.
- Thursday, March 5, 2026: Philippines v Korea Republic; IR Iran v Australia.
- Sunday, March 8, 2026: IR Iran v Philippines.
- Thursday March 19, 2026:
- Play-Off Match 1 (Nations TBC post Quarter Finals).
- Play-Off Match 2 (Nations TBC post Quarter Finals)
Tickets are now on sale. Learn more at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 website.
