Australia learns AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup™ China 2025 opponents

The Australia Women’s National Futsal Team have discovered who they will meet in the group stage of the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup China 2025™ following the Official Draw on Thursday evening (AEDT).

The Draw held at the Juva Grand Hotel in Hohhot, China revealed the Australians have been drawn into Group A alongside hosts China PR, 2016 Runners-Up Uzbekistan and World Number 25, Chinese Taipei.

After finishing top of their group at the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup™ Qualifiers 2025 in Uzbekistan — where they secured four wins from four matches, including a 3-1 victory over the hosts — the Australia Women’s National Futsal Team will continue their journey following their debut on the Asian Futsal stage in 2025.

The third edition of the tournament will be held from May 7 – 18 and will feature 12 teams who will contest a one-round league format, with the top two finishers in each group alongside the two best third placed teams advancing to the knock-out stage.

The top three finishers at the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup China 2025™ will then seal their berths at the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup™ 2025 in the Philippines.

With the Philippines – from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) – hosting the World Cup between November 21 and December 7 2025, it presented an ideal opportunity for Football Australia to stand up a team specifically for this cycle.

Following the Draw, Head Coach Miles Downie said: “Now that we know our opponents we can start to refine our preparations with a clear focus on what lies ahead. Every team at this tournament has earned their place, and we expect a high level of competition. Our qualification campaign gave us a strong foundation, but this is another step up, and we’ll need to be at our very best to progress,” explained Downie.

“As hosts, China PR will have the advantage of home support and everything that comes with it. We recently faced Uzbekistan in the qualifiers, so we’re familiar with their strengths. Chinese Taipei has a long history in women’s futsal, a world-class coach, and are a well-drilled, competitive side.

"While the qualification campaign in Uzbekistan was a success, this is a national team, so no spot in this team is guaranteed. We are still looking at ways to improve, strengthen our depth, and find the right balance in the squad so we can start strong in the group stage.

“I’m incredibly proud of the work our players, staff, and everyone behind the scenes have put in to bring this team to life. As a team, we respect and are fully aware of what means to represent our country, and a key part of that is embodying what it means to be Australian.

“The players love to compete, and so we play a brave, dynamic, aggressive style of Futsal, that really reflects the qualities of Australian football. We’re not just here to participate, we want to challenge the best teams in Asia and showcase what Australian Futsal is all about,” Downie concluded.

AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup China 2025™ Draw Result: Group Teams Group A Australia, China PR (H), Chinese Taipei, Uzbekistan Group B Hong Kong, IR Iran, Philippines, Vietnam Group C Bahrain, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand

Click here to read article