After the 44,379-strong crowd -- a record for the Women's Asian Cup -- was warmed up by American singer Audrey Nuna of "KPop Demon Hunters" fame, big cheers greeted the players when they emerged onto the pitch.

Football chiefs offered "full support and assistance" to the Iranian team in Australia Sunday for the Women's Asian Cup after the United States and Israel launched massive attacks on their homeland.

Bangladesh will make their historic debut in the competition on March 3 against China.

Sobhana Mostary's stunning performance in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier has earned her the ICC Women's Player of the Month for January 2026.

Young winger Sauravi Akanda Prity said Bangladesh are using their remaining training sessions to correct mistakes and settle into unfamiliar surroundings as the team finalises preparations for their historic debut in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia.

Here is a brief look at the important dates of the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 and the roll of honour.

Here are the team profiles of the 12 teams

Despite limitations in training and facilities, captain Afeida Khandoker has vowed that the team will give their best against Asia’s leading sides. She spoke to The Daily Star’s Anisur Rahman about expectations, preparation and future ambitions.

What started with a modest South Asian Games fixture against Nepal in 2010 has grown into one of the proudest journeys in Bangladesh sport, with the Bangladesh Women's football team now preparing for their maiden appearance at the AFC Women's Asian Cup in Australia – a historic milestone for the country’s women’s football programme.

The 12-team competition gets underway on Sunday in the Western Australian city Perth when Sam Kerr's Matildas face the Philippines in a tournament organisers hope will create a similar buzz to the 2023 Women's World Cup.

China's Australian coach Ante Milicic believes North Korea may pose the biggest threat to China in the group stage but didn't want to take Bangladesh lightly in the AFC Women's Asian Cup in Sydney.

BCB women’s wing chairperson Rubaba Dowla said the tri-series is part of a broader preparation plan for the global event.

The sports state minister also stressed the importance of domestic women’s football competitions, rather than focusing solely on international matches.

The fixture assumes added significance given the scale of what lies ahead.

Macci previously coached Williams and her sister Venus in the early 1990s.

Head coach Nasiruddin Faruque said several players are ready to challenge for national selection.

Bangladesh now gear up for six days of training, including a practice match against Australian side Western Sydney Wanderers on February 26 before the Asian Cup proper.

Bangladesh Women’s ‘A’ team eked out a three-wicket win over Thailand in a low-scoring Group B match to seal a place in the semifinals of the Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars at the Terdthai Cricket Ground, Bangkok today.

Bangladesh women’s football team have entered the final phase of their home preparation for next month’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup, with no further international fixtures scheduled before the tournament kicks off on March 1 -- raising fresh concerns over their readiness.

Bangladesh bowlers held their nerve in the decisive overs, with left-arm spinner Sanjida Akter Meghla leading the charge.