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AFC ASIAN CUP NEWS

India, playing their first Asian Cup match in 20 years, had a good start early on, with Shubhangi Singh and Sulanjana Raul combining well on the left to set Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam through (AIFF Photo)

Japan thrash India 6-0 in U20 Women's Women's Asian Cup

April 02, 2026 11:54 pm

India held out well in the first half but then collapsaed in the second, with Japan scoring as many as five goals in it.

Iran players react during their national anthem ahead of the Women's Asian Cup soccer match between Iran and the Philippines in Robina, Australia, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Dave Hunt/AAP Image via AP)

Iran women's football team returns home after AFC Asian Cup campaign

March 18, 2026 10:58 pm

Iranian media organisations beamed footage of the players entering Iran after landing in Turkey and taking a bus to the border.

Australia's Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke (center) poses with five Iranian women soccer players who have been granted asylum in Australia. (Australia Ministry of Home Affairs via AP)

After airport drama, last-minute asylum offer, most of Iranian women's football team leaves Australia

March 11, 2026 1:36 pm

Seven members of Iran squad had earlier accepted humanitarian visas allowing them to remain permanently in Australia. As rest of the side passed through security for their flights back home on Tuesday, each woman was taken aside to meet alone with officials who explained through interpreters that they could choose not to return

AFC Women's Asian Cup: Manisha Kalyan scores a pearler, but India go down 1-3 to Chinese Taipei

March 10, 2026 8:53 pm

Head coach Amelia Valverde's charges showed promise but defeat dashes hopes of qualifying for 2027 FIFA World Cup

Before being flattened by Japan, India's opening match against Vietnam was a breathless game, with India even looking the better team for large parts of the second half.

AFC Women's Asian Cup: Why a win against Chinese Taipei keeps India's slender FIFA World Cup 2027 qualification chances alive

March 10, 2026 2:53 pm

To say that India have an uphill struggle in front of them to go through to the knockouts is an understatement, but it is not impossible by any means.

India women's team face Chinese Taipei in must-win game in the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. (PHOTO: AP)

AFC Women’s Asian Cup: After drubbing against Japan, India need to beat Chinese Taipei to have any shot at quarterfinal spot

March 10, 2026 3:14 pm

Match assumes significance as nothing short of victory will keep alive dream of qualification for 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup

Branded as ‘wartime traitors’ at home, Iran women’s team salute national anthem before heartbreaking Asian Cup exit

March 08, 2026 6:37 pm

The Australian Iranian Council had urged the Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke to protect the squad members while they’re in Australia. An online petition—which gained over 50,000 signatures in no time—also the Australian government to give the Iranian team shelter while war rages back home.