For the first time, the Bangladesh women’s football team will play in the Asian Cup. The tournament will be held in Sydney, Perth and Gold Coast, Australia, from March 1-21 next year with the participation of 12 countries. The draw for the upcoming edition will be held on July 29 at Sydney Harbour. The teams are placed in different pots for the draw. On that basis, the teams are basically divided into different groups. The Asian Football Confederation has officially released the pot list for the main phase draw today.
China, North and South Korea are playing directly as the top three teams from last season and Australia as the hosts. The remaining 8 teams have emerged as group champions in the qualifying round. FIFA released the women’s team rankings on June 12. According to that ranking, the 12 teams that have secured the Asian Cup have been placed in four pots.
Three teams in each pot. Australia is the top team in Group ‘A’ as the host. Although they are slightly behind in the rankings, they are the first team in Pot ‘A’. The other two teams are Japan and Korea. Japan and Korea will be the first team in Group ‘B’ or ‘C’.
China, the current champions of the Women’s Asian Cup, are playing directly in the Asian Cup. They are in the second pot as they are ranked behind Japan and Korea. The other two teams in this pot are South Korea and Vietnam. The teams in the second pot will be the second team in the group.
The Philippines, Chinese Taipei and Uzbekistan are in pot three. Bangladesh has the highest ranking among the teams that have secured the Asia Cup. That is why it is in pot four. In this pot, Bangladesh has India and Iran. Being in the same pot, Bangladesh has no chance of falling in the same group with India and Iran.
A group of four teams will be completed with one team from each pot. The champion and runner-up of the three groups will play the top two third-placed teams in the three groups in the quarter-finals. In Bangladesh’s group, the Philippines, Chinese Taipei and Uzbekistan, who are in pot three, will play a team. That match is the most important for Bangladesh. Because if they win that match, they will have the possibility of playing in the quarters.
The rankings of the three teams in pot three are between 41-51. Bangladesh defeated Myanmar, ranked 55 in the Asian Cup qualifiers. As a result, they can dream of winning against the third pot team and playing in the quarters. If they reach the quarters, they will be close to playing in the Women’s World Cup and Olympics.
It is very difficult for Bangladesh to get points against Australia, Japan and North Korea, who are in Pot One. Although Bangladesh has the experience of fighting against Australia in the AFC U-16 Women’s Tournament. Bangladesh’s luck in Pot Two may be a little better if Vietnam falls in the draw. Because in Pot Two, China and Korea are ranked 17th and 21st, while Vietnam is 37th. As a result, if Vietnam falls in Bangladesh’s group, it will increase another possibility of playing in the quarterfinals.
- Pot 1: Australia (15), Japan (7), North Korea (9)
- Pot 2: China (17), South Korea (21), Vietnam (37)
- Pot 3: Philippines (41), Chinese Taipei (42), Uzbekistan (51)
- Pot 4: Iran (68), India (70), Bangladesh (128)
FAQ
What is the major achievement by the Bangladesh women’s football team?
The Bangladesh women’s football team has qualified for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2025, marking their first-ever appearance in the tournament.
Where will the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2025 be held?
The tournament will be hosted in Australia, featuring the top women’s national teams from across Asia.
Why is this qualification historic for Bangladesh?
This is the first time Bangladesh’s women’s team has qualified for the main stage of the Asian Cup, making it a historic milestone for the country’s football journey.
