latestnews

The AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ today unveiled Naara – the first mascot in the history of the tournament – in a vibrant celebration held on International Volunteers Day at the Broadwater Parklands on the Gold Coast.

Off the back of the reveal of WAVEMAKER by Kelme, the first bespoke match ball ever created for the tournament, Naara’s arrival marks another groundbreaking moment as the 2026 edition continues to set new standards for women’s football in Asia.

Dozens of dedicated tournament volunteers were in attendance as Naara made her dramatic debut arriving atop a bright red fire truck before stepping on to the stage to model and officially unveil the tournament’s volunteer uniform. The event also featured the premiere of Naara’s launch video - voiced by former Matilda and leading football commentator Grace Gill - giving fans their first glimpse of her fearless personality.

Sarah Walsh, Chief Operating Officer of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Local Organising Committee was joined at the celebrations by Queensland Minister for the Environment and Tourism, Andrew Powell and  Deputy Mayor of the Gold Coast Mark Hammel to honour the contribution of volunteers who will play a vital role in delivering the largest and most ambitious Women’s Asian Cup in history.

Dancing her way into the hearts of local fans, Naara taught the crowd her signature moves alongside dancers and volunteers - marking the beginning of her journey to inspire young fans, energise matchdays and bring the tournament spirit to life.‍

Naara’s story:

More than a mascot, Naara is the living flame of the tournament – a powerful symbol of courage, movement and belief.  Elegant, spirited and fiercely independent, she embodies the fearless ambition of women and girls across Asia and Australia.

Her arrival comes at a perfectly aligned moment in the lunar calendar, with 2026 being the Year of the Horse, and March – when the tournament kicks off – sits within the early phase of this cycle, ruled by the fire element.  

Naara, a rare Fire Horse, draws strength and meaning from this powerful intersection of energy, spirit and destiny.

Her form draws from the boldness of Asian tradition, the wild freedom of Australia’s vast landscapes, and the timeless wisdom of Indigenous storytelling.  Naara unites these worlds with one mission: to ignite the dreams of a continent and inspire all to Dream Fearless.

Naara means “the one on fire” in the language of the Noongar people of Western Australia’s southwest corner. In Noongar culture, fire is a force of renewal – it brings communities together for song, dance and story, restores the land, and sparks new life.  Naara’s name reflects strength, resilience and energy: the very qualities that define the spirit of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™.

The tournament is proud to honour the Noongar people of Western Australia, where the tournament will kick-off in spectacular fashion with the Matildas blockbuster clash against the Philippines and official Opening Ceremony on 1 March 2026 at Perth Stadium.

Fans are already snapping up seats for this highly anticipated tournament opener which will feature the official Opening Ceremony in front of a packed Perth Stadium, while sales are soaring for Australia’s showdown against Korea Republic on 8 March – a clash set to light up Stadium Australia on International Women’s Day. On the Gold Coast, the Matildas clash against Iran is the first match of the tournament to sell out its initial allocation.

Tickets for other matches, including the knockouts and showpiece Final, are also selling quickly, with demand surging across all three host cities with the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ is on track to be the most high-profile and record-breaking edition in the tournament’s history.  

With tickets starting from just $20 for adults and $10 for children, fans are being urged to lock in their seats now to avoid disappointment.