Women's AFC Asian Cup 2022: When, where, Matildas fixtures and results, teams, how to watch in Australia

The 20th edition of the AFC Women's Asian Cup will begin in India early this year with the Matildas hungry for some silverware. 

Japan are the defending champions of the tournament after winning it in 2018 with the competition being played every four years.

This edition will see the amount of teams expanded from eight to 12 as the best nations in Asia duel it out for the title.

The four semi-finalists in the tournament, plus Australia (co-hosts), will qualify directly for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, with a play-off spot available to a quarter-finalist.

When is the Women's AFC Asian Cup 2022? 

The event will start on January 20, 2022 and end on February 6, 2022 with 25 matches played across 17 days.

In a boost for the competitors, the tournament is being held in India's winter season, making it the most comfortable time of the year on the subcontinent.

Where is the Women's AFC Asian Cup being hosted?

The Women's Asian Cup will be held in India across two host cities in Mumbai and Pune.

Originally, Ahmedabad and Bhubaneswar were named as host cities alongside Mumbai in June 2021, but the AFC switched to its final choice a month later.

Matildas Women's AFC Asian Cup draw? 

The draw of the tournament was announced in Kuala Lumpur on October 28.  

The Matildas have found themselves in Group B for the 2022 tournament.

What are the Women's AFC Asian Cup groups?

How to watch the Women's AFC Asian Cup?

Network 10 and their partner streaming sevice Paramount Plus has the broadcast rights for next year's Women's AFC Asian Cup.

Paramount Plus and Network 10, who are both owned by the same company ViacomCBS, have picked up nearly all of Australia's domestic football broadcast rights.

To catch every Matildas' AFC Asian Cup game, join Paramount Plus for FREE for 7 days or sign up for a monthly subscription. 

The Matildas first two group games are also set to televised on 10 Bold before their third game gets top billing on Channel 10. 

Who has qualified for the Women's AFC Asian Cup? 

India qualified for the tournament as hosts while Japan, Australia and China PR did not need to go through the qualification process due to their results at the Women's Asian Cup 2018.

Other teams reached the tournament through a separate qualification process.

Who is in the Matildas squad for the Women's AFC Asian Cup?

The Matildas travelling squad for the 2022 AFC Cup was announced on January 8. 

A total of 25 players will head to the UAE for a training camp on January 10 before a final squad of 23 will head to India a few days later. 

*Selected as part of initial travelling squad, two will be cut from the final team selection

How is the Women's AFC Asian Cup tournament structured?

There are three groups named A, B and C. The top two of each group qualify into the quarterfinals, while third place has a chance to make it to the next round. The third place teams will be ranked depending on their points and goal difference. The two best ranked of the third place teams will advance to the next stage. 

Quarter-finals (30- 31 Jan 22)

QF 1 - Group A winner v Group B/C third place

QF 2 - Group B winner v Group C runner-up

QF 3 - Group C winner v Group A/B third place

QF 4 - Group A runner-up v Group B runner-up

Semi-finals (3-4 Feb 22) 

SF 1 - QF 1 winner v QF 2 winner

SF 2 - QF3 winner v QF4 winner

All semi-finalists qualify for the World Cup in 2023*

Final (6 Feb 22)

SF 1 v SF 2 

Group fixtures of AFC Asian Women's Cup 2022