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The Conversation
The Conversation
Fiona Crawford, Adjunct Lecturer at the Centre for Justice, Queensland University of Technology

Matildas effect 2.0? Why the Women’s Asian Cup is a huge moment for Australian soccer

The 2026 Women’s Asian Cup is the first major women’s soccer tournament Australia has hosted since the groundbreaking 2023 Women’s World Cup.

The 12-team event, which will be held in Perth, Sydney and the Gold Coast, started on Sunday with the Matildas winning their first match against the Philippines. They next play Iran on Thursday night.

The tournament also doubles as a qualifier for the 2027 Women’s World Cup and represents a chance for the Matildas to win a major tournament on home soil.

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