Defending champions China were drawn in the same group in Sydney Tuesday as three-time winners North Korea for the 2026 Women's Asian Cup, while powerhouse Japan will take on Vietnam, India and Taiwan.

Host Australia has been drawn into Group A with South Korea, Iran, and the Philippines for next year's Women's Asian Cup.

The Matildas have been pitted against the team that ended their last Women's Asian Cup campaign, facing South Korea in the group stage of the 2026 tournament.

The agreement comes after other American allies, like Japan, clinched their own deals, partly to moderate President Trump’s tariff threats.

In the wake of the Trump administration’s trade deal with the European Union, investors have turned to watching for other agreements ahead a deadline at the end of this week — and they’re looking for progress in talks with China,