100 Days to Go: Stars and Young Dreamers Ignite Asian Cup Countdown
Excitement is building as the countdown to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ heats up. Today, the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ marked 100 days to go with a powerful celebration of fearless football, featuring stars past, present and future – and the unveiling of 100 unique dreams from young footballers.
In Sydney CBD’s Martin Place, the day brought together inspiring figures who embody the tournament’s Dream Fearless spirit – a celebration of courage, connection and possibility. Among them was AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Chief Operating Officer and former Matilda Sarah Walsh, who reflected on the significance of the moment as the tournament draws closer to kick-off on 1 March 2026, with the Matildas blockbuster match against the Philippines and the Opening Ceremony at Perth Stadium.
Current leading figures of the women’s game took centre stage, including Matildas coach Joe Montemurro and Philippines international Madison Ayson, who set the scene for the blockbuster tournament opener between both nations on 1 March at Perth Stadium. They were joined by NSW Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper, for the celebration, where fans and media were the first to see the AFC Women’s Asian Cup’s official tournament ball, WAVEMAKER, up close. Featuring Australia’s stunning coastline at the heart of its design, it marks the first time the tournament has featured its own bespoke match ball, a symbol of the competition’s growing profile and prestige.
This vibrant celebration featured a 2.4-metre-tall “100” installation, showcasing the dreams of 100 Fearless Dreamers – young footballers from grassroots clubs across Sydney. From hundreds of entries, one standout dreamer was revealed live on stage as the competition winner, earning a dream experience with two tickets to the showpiece Final at Stadium Australia on 21 March.
Representing Asia’s rich football history, members of the First Matildas squad - Kim Coates, Cindy Heydon, Sue Binns, Trixie Tagg, Vickie Dean, Gundega Zarins, Lynn Everett-Miller and Trudy Fischer - also joined the celebration. These trailblazers played in the inaugural Women’s Asian Cup in 1975 and stand as living symbols of the tournament’s legacy as the oldest official international women’s football competition in the world.
Celebrations were also held in fellow host cities. In Perth, the Yagan Square digital tower in Perth CBD was lit up with a 100 Day countdown, while in the Gold Coast, Mayor Tom Tate was joined by local junior players at Burleigh Heads Beach to mark the occasion.
With ticket demand already surging and excitement set to soar as the countdown continues, the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ is on track to be the most high-profile and record-breaking edition in the tournament’s history – uniting fans across Perth, Gold Coast and Sydney from 1–21 March for the biggest celebration of women’s football in our region.
The tournament also doubles as the AFC’s official qualifying event for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™, adding even greater stakes as Asia’s best teams battle for glory – and a place on football’s biggest stage.
With tickets starting from just $20 for adults and $10 for children, fans are being urged to lock in their seats now to avoid disappointment.
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