Asian Games 2026 Football: Complete Schedule, Groups, Results and Standings
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
The football competitions at the 2026 Asian Games are set to bring together some of Asia’s leading national teams as the continental sporting event takes place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
The 20th edition of the Asian Games will feature separate men’s and women’s football tournaments, with matches scheduled across several Japanese cities.
The men’s competition will run from September 15 to October 3, while the women’s tournament will take place from September 14 to October 2.
Asian Games 2026 Football Venues
Men’s football matches will be staged in Osaka, Toyota, Nagoya and Kariya.
The women’s competition will use venues in Osaka, Fukuroi, Gifu and Kariya.
The men’s tournament will feature 15 teams following Iraq’s withdrawal, while 12 teams will compete in the women’s event.
At the previous Asian Games in 2023, the Republic of Korea won the men’s gold medal, while Japan claimed the women’s title in Hangzhou, China.
Asian Games 2026 Men’s Football Groups
The 15 participating teams have been divided into four groups:
Group A
- Japan
- Thailand
- Kyrgyzstan
- Hong Kong, China
Group B
- People’s Republic of China
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- United Arab Emirates
- Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Group C
- Vietnam
- Uzbekistan
- Philippines
- Kuwait
Group D
- Republic of Korea
- Saudi Arabia
- Qatar
Teams will compete in the group stage before the leading sides advance to the knockout rounds.
Asian Games 2026 Women’s Football Groups
The women’s tournament features 12 teams divided into three groups:
Group E
- Japan
- Chinese Taipei
- Vietnam
- Thailand
Group F
- Republic of Korea
- Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
- Bangladesh
- Myanmar
Group G
- People’s Republic of China
- Philippines
- Uzbekistan
- Hong Kong, China
Defending Champions Face Competition
Japan will be among the teams attracting significant attention on home soil, particularly after winning the women’s football gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games.
The Republic of Korea will also aim to defend its men’s title after winning gold in Hangzhou.
With several of Asia’s strongest football nations taking part, the 2026 tournaments are expected to produce a competitive battle for the medals.
Asian Games 2026 Football Results and Standings
The group standings will be determined by the results of the matches, with teams competing for places in the knockout stages.
This page can be updated throughout the tournament with the latest fixtures, match results, scores and group standings for both the men’s and women’s football competitions.
Key Dates
| Competition | Dates | Number of Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Men’s Football | September 15 – October 3, 2026 | 15 |
| Women’s Football | September 14 – October 2, 2026 | 12 |
The Asian Games football tournaments will form an important part of the wider Aichi-Nagoya 2026 sporting programme, with teams competing for continental honours in Japan.
