Official draw

Asian Cup Australia: Japan head coach Nils Nielsen will be looking for his Nadeshiko team to improve their ability to secure positive results at major tournaments as the former champions attempt to reclaim the AFC Women’s Asian Cup title in Australia next year.

Nielsen’s team were drawn to face Vietnam, India and Chinese Taipei in Group C of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 at the Official Draw in Sydney on Tuesday ahead of their latest attempt to win the title for the first time since 2018.

"It was a good draw and the most important thing was that we managed to get to be in Group C because logistically it’s a bit better than Group B. We need to show why we’re the highest ranked team. I don’t want to disrespect anyone but I think we have a good chance to win the group and that gives us one of the third place teams in the quarterfinals and then we take it from there," said the Dane, who took over from Futoshi Ikeda last year.