FIFPRO
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27/02/2026

FIFPRO Asia/Oceania has announced the introduction of a new Team of the Tournament award for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, marking the first player-voted honour of its kind at a continental tournament in Asia. 

The FIFPRO Asia/Oceania Team of the Tournament will be voted on exclusively by players competing at the 2026 tournament, placing peer recognition at the centre of how player excellence is acknowledged on the continental stage. This follows in the footsteps of FIFPRO World 11, one of the most prestigious awards that football players aspire to, and the only global award voted exclusively by players, for the players. 

FIFPRO Asia/Oceania Secretary General Shoko Tsuji said the award represents an important step forward for player voice and recognition in Asian women’s football.  

"This year’s Women’s Asian Cup is set to be one of the biggest in the tournament’s history, so it’s only right that players have the chance to recognise and celebrate each other through a new player-voted award," Tsuji said.

"This Team of the Tournament gives players a genuine voice in honouring the standout performances they’ve seen up close on the pitch, with a nominated shortlist selected by an independent panel of former and active players and media.

"We see this new award as an opportunity to shine a light on the quality, professionalism and impact of players across the competition from those who are central to the game."

At the conclusion of the tournament, players from all 12 competing nations will be requested to submit their votes for the top three players in each position, with those players who receive the highest number of player votes comprising a final Team of the Tournament. 

An independent panel of respected former and active players and leading journalists from across Asia has been appointed by FIFPRO Asia/Oceania to observe matches throughout the tournament and propose a positional shortlist based on on-field performance. The shortlist will act as an expert suggestion, with players able to vote for participating footballers not included on the shortlist.

The independent panel includes former AFC Women’s Asian Cup winners, a former FIFA Women’s World Cup winner, and the captain of the Pakistan women’s national team.

"It’s a real honour to be part of the selection process and to help recognise the players who will bring this tournament to life," former Women's World Cup winner and former Japan international Mana Iwabuchi said. 
 
"I know how much it would have meant to receive this kind of recognition from the players you compete alongside and against in these big tournaments. That’s why I’m so proud to support it and I’m genuinely excited to be involved."

The panel:  

  • Kathryn Gill (Australia) – Former Matildas striker, 2010 AFC Women’s Footballer of the Year, two-time Olympian, 2010 AFC Women’s Asian Cup Winner. 
  • Ashalata Devi (India) – FIFPRO Global Player Council (GPC) member and defender for East Bengal and the Indian women's national team. First Indian woman to reach 100 caps for India. 
  • Mana Iwabuchi (Japan) – FIFA Women’s World Cup winner (2011), AFC Women's Asian Cup winner (2018) and MVP, and one of Asia’s most accomplished international players 
  • Maria Khan (Pakistan) – Pakistan national team captain and advocate for women’s football development, with experience playing in Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and UAE. 
  • Sam Lewis (Australia) – Award-winning football journalist and advocate known for in-depth coverage of women's football across Australia, Asia, and worldwide.  
  • Gina Bagnulo (UAE) – Leading regional football journalist with extensive experience covering Asian competitions.    

The FIFPRO Asia/Oceania Team of the Tournament will be announced following the conclusion of the tournament.