Indonesia Women’s National Team Still Has a Chance to Qualify for 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup

Jakarta – The Indonesian Women’s National Football Team still has a chance to qualify for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, despite suffering a 0–2 defeat against Pakistan in their second Group D match of the qualifiers at Kelapa Dua Stadium, Tangerang, on Wednesday (July 2, 2025) evening local time.

The loss dropped Indonesia to third place in the Group D standings, overtaken by Pakistan, who also have three points. Meanwhile, Taiwan lead the group with six points from two matches.

Although the road to qualification is now more difficult, Indonesia’s hopes of advancing to the final tournament are still alive.

Indonesia’s Qualification Scenario

To qualify for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, Indonesia must finish as Group D winners, as only the top team from each qualifying group will earn a direct spot in the tournament.

Here’s what needs to happen for Indonesia to top Group D:

1. Indonesia Must Beat Taiwan
   Indonesia will face Taiwan in their final group match on Saturday (July 5, 2025) at Kelapa Dua Sport Centre Stadium in Tangerang. A win would put Indonesia level on six points with Taiwan.

   In this scenario, Indonesia would advance based on the head-to-head rule — but only if Pakistan lose to Kyrgyzstan.

2. Hoping for a Pakistan Loss to Kyrgyzstan
   The result of the match between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan — scheduled earlier on the same day — will be crucial. If Pakistan lose, and Indonesia beat Taiwan, Indonesia would top the group and secure qualification.

3. If All Three Teams Finish with Six Points
   Another possibility is that Pakistan beat Kyrgyzstan and Indonesia also defeat Taiwan. This would result in all three teams — Indonesia, Taiwan, and Pakistan — finishing with six points.

   In such a case, the group winner would be determined by goal difference.
   Currently, Taiwan have a goal difference of +11, Indonesia are at -1, and Pakistan are at -6.

   Therefore, if this three-way tie scenario unfolds, Indonesia would need a big win against Taiwan to surpass the goal difference of both rivals and secure qualification.

Indonesia’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup remain open but will require a strong performance and favorable results. A victory over Taiwan is non-negotiable, and ideally, Pakistan must lose to Kyrgyzstan. If not, Indonesia must win by a large margin to boost their goal difference and stay ahead in the race.