A total of 12 teams are set to feature at the AFC Women's Asian Cup India 2022 ©AFC

Japan will begin their title defence in Group C as the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Asian Cup India 2022 draw concluded in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

The draw for the expanded 12-team tournament was held online and pitted South Korea, Vietnam and Myanmar against the 2014 and 2018 champions.

Australia, champions in 2010 and runners-up in the last two editions, were drawn in Group B alongside Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia.

Eight-time winners China PR will have hosts India, Chinese Taipei and Iran for company in Group A as they attempt to win the title for the first time since 2006.

Japan has won the AFC Women's Asian Cup twice - in 2014 and 2018 ©Getty Images
Japan has won the AFC Women's Asian Cup twice - in 2014 and 2018 ©Getty Images

The continental competition will also act as a qualifier for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup as the leading five teams will earn places in the tournament, which is set to be held in Australia and New Zealand.

The two next best teams from the playoff matches will then also represent Asia at the Inter-Confederation Playoffs.

The 2022 Women's Asian Cup is scheduled for January 20 to February 6 2022.

A total of three venues are set to host the fixtures - the Mumbai Football Arena, the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai and the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune.

It will be the second time that India has hosted the tournament following its staging of the 1979 edition.