Who Will Prevail in Group C of the AFC Women’s Asia Cup: India, Japan, Vietnam, or Chinese Taipei?

Sydney, July 29 (NationPress) India has been placed in Group C for the AFC Asian Women’s Cup 2026, joining Japan, Vietnam, and Chinese Taipei. This prestigious tournament is set to unfold in Australia.

The final draw's pot allocations were determined based on the most recent FIFA Women’s World Ranking (as of June 12). India, currently ranked 70th, found themselves in pot 4, drawing Japan (7) from pot 1, Vietnam (37) from pot 2, and Chinese Taipei (42) from pot 3.

Japan's relentless pursuit of glory finally bore fruit in 2014 when they clinched the trophy with a narrow 1-0 victory over Australia in the final, thanks to a decisive goal from Azusa Iwashimasu.

In 2018, Japan successfully defended their title in Jordan, navigating a challenging group stage with a better head-to-head record after tying on five points with Australia and Korea Republic.

However, their aspirations for a third consecutive championship were thwarted in the 2022 edition, where they faced elimination at the hands of eventual champions China in the semi-finals, losing in a penalty shootout.

Vietnam, who have participated in every edition since their inaugural appearance in 1999, have struggled to achieve success. They have only progressed past the group stage twice - in 2014 and during the last tournament hosted by India. Despite a sixth-place finish in 2014 that denied them a spot in the FIFA Women's World Cup, Vietnam finally made their global debut eight years later by topping the playoffs.

Chinese Taipei dominated between 1977 and 1981, securing three consecutive championships, but have since faced challenges.

Now reaching consecutive finals for the first time since 2008, Chinese Taipei aims to reclaim their former glory in women’s football across Asia.

The 21st edition of Asia's premier women's national team event features twelve teams divided into three groups of four. India secured its place in the tournament as one of eight teams emerging from the qualifiers, joining hosts Australia and the top three finishers from the AFC Women's Asian Cup India 2022 - China PR, Korea Republic, and Japan.

This exciting tournament is scheduled to take place from March 1 to 21, 2026, across Sydney, Perth, and Gold Coast, in venues that hosted the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, marking its return to Australia for the first time since 2006.

After a historic qualification campaign that saw the Blue Tigresses top Group B by defeating Thailand, Iraq, Timor-Leste, and Mongolia earlier this month, India will be making their first appearance in the tournament since 2003, having previously finished as runners-up in 1980 and 1983.