The AFC Women’s Asian Cup, Asia’s premier international football tournament for women’s national teams, has crowned continental champions since its inception in 1975.
Held every four years in its current format, the competition has been defined by periods of dominance. The competition format has evolved over time. Initially held biennially, it briefly shifted to a three-year cycle in the 1980s before returning to a two-year schedule in later decades. Since 2014, it has been staged every four years.
The People’s Republic of China are the most successful team in AFC Women’s Asian Cup history with nine titles.
China’s dominance stretches back decades. Between 1986 and 1999, they won an unprecedented seven consecutive titles. No other team has matched that sustained success. Their latest triumph was in 2022.
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea broke China’s stranglehold in 2001 and successfully defended their title in 2003. They added a third crown in 2008.
Japan, meanwhile, have been a leading force in the modern era.
After winning back-to-back titles in 2014 and 2018, Japan beat Australia to win the 2026 edition and are the reigning AFC Women’s Asian Cup champions.
The tournament has also seen a variety of early winners.
New Zealand lifted the inaugural title in 1975 – their only triumph – when the competition was called the Asian Cup Ladies Football Tournament.
Chinese Taipei, meanwhile, were dominant in the late 1970s and early 1980s, winning three titles. Thailand and Australia have also featured among the champions. The Matildas, in fact, finished runners-up on four other occasions.
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