AFC Unveils New Stand-Alone Qualifying Route for 2031 Women’s World Cup

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced a significant shift in the qualification process for the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup. For the first time, Asian teams will compete in a dedicated, three-round preliminary competition, set to begin in 2027, to secure their spots in the prestigious tournament. This marks a departure from previous qualification methods, which relied on performances in the Asian Games and Women’s Asian Cup.

The new format will see lower-ranked teams battle it out in an initial round, with the winners advancing to join the top eight teams from Asia in a second phase. This phase will feature 24 teams divided into six groups, competing in a round-robin format. The top two teams from each group will then progress to a final stage, where 12 teams will face off in home-and-away matches to determine the region’s qualifiers for the World Cup.

This new system is part of a broader effort by the AFC to enhance women’s football in Asia. The upcoming 2027 Women’s World Cup will be held in Brazil, with the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup, hosted by Australia, serving as the last edition to double as a World Cup qualifier.