Published: July 2, 2025, 11:39 PM
Image: BFF
A landmark moment has been achieved in Bangladesh’s football history. For the first time ever, the Bangladesh women`s national football team has qualified for the final stage of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026.
This historic feat was confirmed after a 2-2 draw between Bahrain and Turkmenistan in Group C of the ongoing qualifiers. That result secured Bangladesh’s position as group champions-with one match still to play-ensuring their place in the tournament’s final round.
Earlier in the day, Bangladesh edged past hosts Myanmar 2-1 in Yangon. That victory had already placed the team on the brink of qualification, leaving their fate hanging on the outcome of the Bahrain-Turkmenistan clash. With the draw, Bangladesh officially booked their ticket to Australia, where the tournament will be held next year.
In the qualifiers so far, Bangladesh have collected 6 points from two matches. Myanmar trail with 3, while Bahrain and Turkmenistan sit on just 1 point each. Even if Bangladesh lose their final match on July 5 against Turkmenistan and Myanmar beat Bahrain, Bangladesh will still top the group due to their head-to-head win over Myanmar.
Only group winners from the qualifiers progress to the final round, where they’ll join hosts Australia and the top three finishers from the previous edition-Japan, South Korea, and China. Bangladesh now become the first team from the qualifiers to confirm their place in the tournament.
This marks only the second time a Bangladesh national football team has reached the final round of an Asian Cup. The first instance was in 1980, when the men`s team played in the AFC Asian Cup held in Kuwait. Since then, no other national side had managed to qualify-until now.
As the men`s team continues to struggle in their 2027 Asian Cup qualifying campaign, this historic achievement by the women’s side offers a beacon of hope and pride for Bangladeshi football. It is a moment that proves dreams, when pursued with determination, can truly become reality.
