Uzbekistan the Closest to Bangladesh in Asian Cup Group by FIFA Ranking
Bangladesh have been handed a tough challenge in the group stage of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. Peter James Butler’s team has been drawn in Group B alongside record nine-time champions China. The other two teams in the group are North Korea and Uzbekistan.
Based on FIFA rankings, Uzbekistan is the closest opponent to Bangladesh in Group B. During the draw held on Tuesday at Sydney Town Hall, Uzbekistan—ranked 51st—is the nearest to Bangladesh in the rankings. North Korea is ranked 9th and is also the reigning Asian champion, while China sits at 17th. Bangladesh, on the other hand, is ranked 128th—making them the lowest-ranked side in the tournament.
The AFC had invited the captains and coaches of all qualified teams to the draw. However, no representatives from Bangladesh attended. Coaches or captains from Japan, North Korea, Iran, and the Philippines were also absent. As a result, these teams had no presence in the trophy photoshoot held at Sydney’s Harbour Front.
Group A consists of hosts Australia, South Korea, the Philippines, and Iran. Group C includes Japan, Vietnam, Chinese Taipei, and India.
The main tournament will be held in Australia in March next year. The top two teams from each of the three groups, along with the two best third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stage. The top six teams will earn qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Additionally, all eight quarter-finalists will secure direct entry to the Los Angeles Olympics.
Among the 12 teams, Bangladesh are the lowest-ranked. All other teams are inside FIFA’s top 100. The closest to Bangladesh in rankings is India at 70th.
In the draw, host nation Australia was placed in Pot 1 alongside Japan and North Korea. Japan has won the title twice, while North Korea are three-time champions. Australia has lifted the trophy once.
Pot 2 featured record champions China, runners-up South Korea—who lost to China in the 2022 final—and Vietnam, who have never reached the semi-finals.
Pot 3 included three-time champions Chinese Taipei, 2022 semi-finalists the Philippines, and Uzbekistan.
Pot 4 had Iran, who exited in the group stage in 2022, India—two-time runners-up in 1980 and 1983 but unable to progress past the group stage in the last five editions—and Bangladesh, who are making their debut in the main round of the tournament.
