Football Australia has deepened international ties through the power of women's football, delivering a targeted sports diplomacy initiative in Dushanbe, Tajikistan from 4-7 August.
Delivered in partnership with the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA), and the Australian Embassy in Moscow, the project coincided with the Young Matildas' campaign at the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers in the region.
The highlight of the visit was a landmark a two-day Women's Football Development Seminar with key representatives from five Central Asian Member Associations - Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, and IR Iran - alongside representatives from FIFA, the AFC, and FIFPRO Asia/Oceania.
Football Australia General Manager of Women's Football Carlee Millikin, International Partnerships Manager Tom Engelhardt and former CommBank Matilda Gema Simon played key roles in delivering the seminar and connecting with local football leaders.
Drawing on Australia's experience hosting the FIFA Women's World Cup and building the Matildas brand, the seminar explored strategies for participation growth, legacy building, and preparation for the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026.
"This is about sharing our learnings and building meaningful partnerships that benefit women's football across Asia," Millikin said.
"Hosting the AFC Women's Asian Cup in 2026 is a chance to showcase the power of women's football throughout the continent. We're focused on using this platform to build something bigger, supporting growth, sharing knowledge, and creating a lasting impact.
"Growing the game in Asia is a shared goal, and we are proud to play a role in driving it forward."
AFC Executive Committee Member and Deputy Chairperson of the AFC Women's Football Committee, Mijgona Mahmadalieva, echoed the importance of the project for the region.
"This initiative is a big step forward for our region. It's the first seminar of its kind focused on women's football in Central Asia, and it's helped bring key stakeholders together in a meaningful way.
"Partnering with Football Australia gives us access to valuable experience, especially from a federation that successfully hosted the FIFA Women's World Cup.
"The exchange of ideas and expertise has been both practical and inspiring, and it's helping us build a stronger foundation for women's football across the region," Mahmadalieva concluded.
Shoko Tsuji, General Secretary of FIFPRO Asia/Oceania, said the collaboration between CAFA and Football Australia set a valuable benchmark.
"It was a pleasure to be part of the inaugural CAFA/Football Australia Women's Football Development Seminar. This initiative is a powerful example of how bringing stakeholders together and creating a meaningful space for knowledge sharing, especially with Football Australia's expertise, can support the growth of the women's game across Central Asia," Tsuji said.
The visit also included community engagement activities, with Simon lacing up her boots to run a training session with Tajikistan's top women's club side, FC Dushanbe, and a series of engagements with football stakeholders alongside Australian Deputy Ambassador Jeremy Guthrie.
To cap off the week, all seminar participants attended the Young Matildas' clash with Tajikistan on 6 August, celebrating the unifying spirit of the game.
Looking ahead, Millikin sees enormous potential in the partnerships forged during the week.
"Central Asia is an important region for Australian football, with our national teams competing here regularly. Two CAFA nations - Iran and Uzbekistan - have qualified for the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026, and Uzbekistan will host the tournament in 2029.
"We are excited about the opportunities to collaborate, grow the women's game, and strengthen connections across the region," Millikin concluded.
This initiative marks the second sports diplomacy project between Football Australia and DFAT in Central Asia following a successful visit to Uzbekistan in early 2024.
