The AFC has confirmed the AFC Women鈥檚 Asian Cup India 2022 will take place from January 20 to February 6.
Asia鈥檚 showpiece event for women鈥檚 football will be bigger than ever before with an expanded line up of teams, growing from eight to 12, and, consequently, more matches.
There will be three groups of four and, for the first time, a quarter-finals stage. India, as the hosts, have already qualified for the tournament along with the three highest-placed sides from the 2018 edition: Japan, Australia, and China.
The tournament will once again double as the qualification route for the 2023 FIFA Women鈥檚 World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand.
Five Asian teams will be able to qualify for the 2023 tournament. The Westfield Matildas have already booked their place as co-hosts with the Football Ferns.
AFC General Secretary Dato鈥 Windsor John said: 鈥淲omen鈥檚 football in Asia is world class and with the next FIFA Women鈥檚 World Cup to be staged in Australia and New Zealand, there has never been a more exciting time for women鈥檚 football in the Continent.鈥
The remaining eight spots for the AFC Women鈥檚 Asian Cup finals will be decided in September with a qualifying tournament to take place.
