Meet Naara - the First Mascot of the AFC Women’s ASIAN Cup!
Naara's Story
More than a mascot, Naara is the living flame of the tournament – a powerful symbol of courage, movement and belief. Elegant, spirited and fiercely independent, she embodies the fearless ambition of women and girls across Asia and Australia.
Her arrival comes at a perfectly aligned moment in the lunar calendar, with 2026 being the Year of the Horse, and March – when the tournament kicks off – sits within the early phase of this cycle, ruled by the fire element.
Naara, a rare Fire Horse, draws strength and meaning from this powerful intersection of energy, spirit and destiny.
More than a mascot, Naara is the living flame of the tournament – a powerful symbol of courage, movement and belief. Elegant, spirited and fiercely independent, she embodies the fearless ambition of women and girls across Asia and Australia.
Her arrival comes at a perfectly aligned moment in the lunar calendar, with 2026 being the Year of the Horse, and March – when the tournament kicks off – sits within the early phase of this cycle, ruled by the fire element.
Naara, a rare Fire Horse, draws strength and meaning from this powerful intersection of energy, spirit and destiny.
Her form draws from the boldness of Asian tradition, the wild freedom of Australia’s vast landscapes, and the timeless wisdom of Indigenous storytelling. Naara unites these worlds with one mission: to ignite the dreams of a continent and inspire all to Dream Fearless.
Naara means “the one on fire” in the language of the Noongar people of Western Australia’s southwest corner. In Noongar culture, fire is a force of renewal – it brings communities together for song, dance and story, restores the land, and sparks new life. Naara’s name reflects strength, resilience and energy: the very qualities that define the spirit of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™.
Naara means “the one on fire” in the language of the Noongar people of Western Australia’s southwest corner. In Noongar culture, fire is a force of renewal – it brings communities together for song, dance and story, restores the land, and sparks new life. Naara’s name reflects strength, resilience and energy: the very qualities that define the spirit of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™.
Naara's Creator Story
Naara is proudly Australian-made and designed, with human creativity at her heart. She is not just a mascot; she is the result of countless conversations, sketches, and shared ideas - a creation born from imagination, cultural storytelling, and collaboration.
Her journey began with Luke Dwyer, designer and animator, who shaped Naara’s visual identity and movement, defining the personality audiences would come to recognise.
Strategic direction followed with Addison Gazal and Richard De Carvalho, ensuring Naara’s purpose and role were meaningful and fit for long-term engagement.
Naara is proudly Australian-made and designed, with human creativity at her heart. She is not just a mascot; she is the result of countless conversations, sketches, and shared ideas - a creation born from imagination, cultural storytelling, and collaboration.
Her journey began with Luke Dwyer, designer and animator, who shaped Naara’s visual identity and movement, defining the personality audiences would come to recognise.
Strategic direction followed with Addison Gazal and Richard De Carvalho, ensuring Naara’s purpose and role were meaningful and fit for long-term engagement.
Audience insight and behavioural understanding were informed by research from Gemba Group, ensuring Naara was grounded in real audience needs and responses, helping shape her final identity, story, and what she stands for.
Aus Coz then transformed Naara from digital design into a physical costume - a character people could meet and remember. Her name and language foundations were developed with Boomerang & Spear, Noongar language experts, ensuring cultural respect and authenticity.
Naara’s public introduction came to life through a launch video produced by Dave Cochrane and Light & Fury, with Grace Gill providing the voice that narrated the video. Throughout the process, the Local Organising Committee and marketing team guided, tested, and refined every stage - from early ideas to final delivery.
Naara is not the work of one person. She is the product of collaboration, craft, and shared intent - a mascot created by people, for people, to inspire fearless dreams.
Aus Coz then transformed Naara from digital design into a physical costume - a character people could meet and remember. Her name and language foundations were developed with Boomerang & Spear, Noongar language experts, ensuring cultural respect and authenticity.
Naara’s public introduction came to life through a launch video produced by Dave Cochrane and Light & Fury, with Grace Gill providing the voice that narrated the video. Throughout the process, the Local Organising Committee and marketing team guided, tested, and refined every stage - from early ideas to final delivery.
Naara is not the work of one person. She is the product of collaboration, craft, and shared intent - a mascot created by people, for people, to inspire fearless dreams.
Creator List
Luke Dwyer - designer & animator
Aus Coz - Physical costume creators
Boomerang & Spear - Noongar language experts
Dave Cochrane, Light & Fury - Launch Video
Addison Gazal – Strategist
Richard De Carvalho - Strategist
Grace Gill - Launch Video Voice Over
Gemba Group - Research
Luke Dwyer - designer & animator
Aus Coz - Physical costume creators
Boomerang & Spear - Noongar language experts
Dave Cochrane, Light & Fury - Launch Video
Addison Gazal – Strategist
Richard De Carvalho - Strategist
Grace Gill - Launch Video Voice Over
Gemba Group - Research
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