Matildas to face South Korea in Asian Cup group stages

Australia and South Korea action shot.
Australia and South Korea will meet again in the group stage of the Asian Cup. -AAP Image

The Matildas have been pitted against the team that ended their last Women's Asian Cup campaign, facing South Korea in the group stage of the 2026 tournament.

After the draw made on Tuesday night at Sydney's Town Hall, Australia will first face the Philippines before playing Iran.

Joe Montemurro's team will host the opener against the Philippines at Perth's Optus Stadium on March 1.

The Matildas will then take on Iran at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast on March 5, before facing South Korea at Sydney's Accor Stadium on March 8.

Montemurro's side at least avoid a group stage meeting with defending champions China, who were drawn in Group B.

World No.7 Japan, the highest-ranked team in the tournament, were drawn in Group C.

Australia are one of 12 teams split across three groups to have qualified for next year's tournament, which will run until the final at Accor Stadium on March 21.

The top two teams in each of the groups, joined by the two best third-placed sides, will advance to the knockout stages.

DRAW FOR THE 2026 WOMEN'S ASIAN CUP:

Group A - Australia, South Korea, Iran, Philippines

Group B - North Korea, China, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan

Group C - Japan, Vietnam, India, Taiwan