October 28 – Japan will open their defence of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 in Mumbai, India, next January against tournament newcomers Myanmar.
The group stage draw held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia today (Thursday), also placed Korea Republic and Vietnam in Group C with Japan. Japan won the last two AFC titles in 2014 and 2018.
The expanded 12 team finals tournament will open January 20 between eight-time champions China PR and Chinese Taipei. They will be followed later in the day by Group A rivals and hosts India, who will face Iran.
In Group B Australia, champions in 2010 and runners-up in the last two editions, were drawn alongside Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia.
The AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 will qualify five teams directly to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, to be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
If Australia finish in the top five teams in India, the sixth ranked team will earn a spot at the 2023 World Cup finals – Australia automatically qualify as co-hosts.
The two AFC slots to the Inter-Confederation Play-off matches will depend on the progress of Australia.
If Australia qualify to the Semi-finals, the four losing teams from the Quarter-finals will engage in a play-off, with the two winning teams qualifying to the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the losing teams earning a place at the Inter-Confederation Play-off.
If Australia exit in the Quarter-finals, the three losing Quarter-finalists will play in a one-round robin format with the winner advancing to the Women’s World Cup and the remaining two teams securing berths for the Inter-Confederation Play-off.
In the final scenario, if Australia do not advance to the Quarter-finals, the four losing Quarter-finalists will play two rounds of Play-off matches.The winners of the first Play-off matches will face off in a decider for a direct slot to the World Cup while the loser of this Play-off match and the winner of the other Play-off match will qualify to the Inter-Confederation Play-off.
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