Iran Qualifies for 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, Marking Rare International Breakthrough

For only the second time in history, Iran’s women’s national football team qualifies for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, overcoming Jordan in a decisive Group A match.

Iran’s women’s national football team secures Asian Cup qualification after 2–1 win over Jordan in Group A. Photo: @PressTV

July 20, 2025 Hour: 5:57 am

Iran’s women’s national football team has secured a place in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026, marking a significant achievement for a squad that has developed under long-standing structural and societal constraints.

Iran defeated Jordan 2–1 on Saturday in the final Group A qualifier, topping their group and earning a spot in Asia’s most prestigious women’s football tournament. Goals from Sara Didar and Neguin Zandi secured the win, despite an own goal by the Iranian side that briefly leveled the match.

This qualification marks only the second time in Iran’s history that its women’s team will compete in the continental championship. The team joins eleven other national squads for the 2026 edition, including hosts Australia, China, South Korea, Japan, North Korea, India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, the Philippines, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), and Uzbekistan. The tournament will kick off on March 1, 2026.

WELL DONE IRAN WOMEN'S NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM!!! They beat Jordan 2-1 to advance to the Women's Asian Cup. Players are forced to play with their hijabs on and receive almost no support from Iran's football federation in terms of funding, friendly games, and proper management.… pic.twitter.com/q8lBf3h751
— Maziar Bahari (@maziarbahari) July 19, 2025

The result reflects a broader evolution in women’s football in Iran, where access to the sport—both as players and spectators—has been tightly regulated. While some restrictions have eased in recent years, female athletes continue to navigate a landscape marked by institutional limitations, including limited facilities, domestic visibility, and international exposure.

Despite these conditions, the team’s performance demonstrates a sustained effort to remain competitive in regional football. Their qualification places them in the pathway toward potential participation in future global tournaments, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup, depending on results at the Asian Cup.

Iran’s presence at the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup stands as more than a qualification—it is a testament to the perseverance of women athletes challenging structural barriers in one of the region’s most complex sporting contexts.

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