AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup 2025 Kicks Off in Hohhot: Asia’s Top Teams Compete for World Cup Spots

From seasoned champions to ambitious newcomers, the 2025 AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup in Hohhot, China, marks a significant milestone in the development of women’s futsal in Asia.

A Milestone Moment for Women’s Futsal in Asia

The 2025 AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup will feature 12 national teams vying for continental supremacy and qualification for the inaugural FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup, set to be hosted by the Philippines later this year.

(Main picture: The Filipina5 pose for an official team photo ahead of the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup. | PFF photo)

This third edition of the tournament, previously known as the AFC Women’s Futsal Championship, serves as a pivotal platform for showcasing the growth and investment in women’s futsal across the continent.

Tournament Format and World Cup Qualification

The competition runs from May 6 to May 17 in Hohhot, China, the top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, will advance to the quarter-finals.

The top three finishers (excluding the Philippines, who have automatically qualified as hosts) will secure their spots in the 2025 FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup.

Group Stage Overview

Group A

• 🇨🇳 China PR (Hosts)
• 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan
• 🇹🇼 Chinese Taipei
• 🇦🇺 Australia

China PR, as hosts, aim to capitalize on home advantage. Uzbekistan, runners-up in the 2018 edition, bring experience and tactical discipline. Chinese Taipei seeks to build on their previous performances, while Australia makes its debut in the tournament, showcasing the nation’s growing commitment to women’s futsal.

Group B

• 🇮🇷 Iran
• 🇻🇳 Vietnam
• 🇭🇰 Hong Kong
• 🇵🇭 Philippines

Iran, the two-time defending champions, enter as favourites. Vietnam aims to improve upon their fourth-place finish in 2018. Hong Kong continues to develop its women’s futsal program, and the Philippines, under the moniker “Filipina5”, participate in their first AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup, having qualified as one of the best third-placed teams in the qualifiers.

Group C

• 🇹🇭 Thailand
• 🇯🇵 Japan
• 🇮🇩 Indonesia
• 🇧🇭 Bahrain

Thailand and Japan are strong contenders, with Japan seeking their first title after two runner-up finishes. Indonesia and Bahrain aim to make significant strides in the tournament, reflecting the expanding competitive landscape of women’s futsal in Asia.

Key Fixtures to Watch in Hohhot

All matches are held at the Hohhot Sports Centre (local time UTC+8). Notable group-stage fixtures include:

• May 6
  🕔 17:00 – 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan vs 🇹🇼 Chinese Taipei
  🕗 20:00 – 🇨🇳 China PR vs 🇦🇺 Australia
• May 7
  🕚 11:00 – 🇮🇷 Iran vs 🇵🇭 Philippines
  🕑 14:00 – 🇹🇭 Thailand vs 🇧🇭 Bahrain
  🕔 17:00 – 🇻🇳 Vietnam vs 🇭🇰 Hong Kong
  🕗 20:00 – 🇯🇵 Japan vs 🇮🇩 Indonesia
• May 11 (Decisive group-stage showdowns)
  🕔 17:00 – 🇮🇷 Iran vs 🇻🇳 Vietnam
  🕗 20:00 – 🇹🇭 Thailand vs 🇯🇵 Japan

World Cup Qualification Implications

With three World Cup spots available (excluding the already qualified Philippines), the stakes are high. Traditional powerhouses like Iran and Japan aim to secure their places, while emerging teams such as Vietnam, Australia, and the Philippines look to make history by qualifying for the inaugural FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup.

A Regional Shift in Motion

The 2025 AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup reflects the evolving landscape of women’s futsal in Asia. The participation of debutants like Australia and the Philippines underscores the sport’s expansion and the increasing investment in women’s futsal programs across the continent.

The Philippines, under the guidance of head coach Rafa Rodriguez, have embraced the moniker “Filipina5”, symbolizing national pride and unity as they prepare to host the FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup. Australia’s entry into the tournament marks a significant step in their futsal development, with the team aiming to establish itself on the Asian stage. Meanwhile, emerging programs are seizing this moment to build infrastructure: Vietnam launched a national women’s futsal championship in 2022and head into this campaign as champions of the inaugural ASEAN Women’s Futsal Championship in 2024, and Indonesia’s decade-old Women’s Pro Futsal League continues to supply talent to its national team.

As the tournament progresses, the performances of both established and emerging teams will shape the future of women’s futsal in Asia, setting the stage for the upcoming World Cup and beyond.

Organ Donation

Futsal Focus is a supporter of Dáithí Mac Gabhann and his family’s campaign to raise awareness of Organ Donation. We encourage our readers to learn more about Organ Donation: https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/

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