The Philippine women’s national football team continues to show no signs of slowing down on the world stage following its rise to the FIFA Women’s Ranking. 

From world No. 44, the Filipinas finally crash the Top 40 where world champion Spain rules after the recently concluded World Cup last July. They reached 38th place, their highest rank ever to cap a splendid year highlighted by the historic debut in the quadrennial meet. 

The dazzling Filipinas gave the country its first-ever win at the grandest football showpiece against tournament co-host New Zealand off a Sarina Bolden header. 

After barging into the world stage, the Philippines also saw impressive showing in its maiden stint in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China where it managed to qualify to the quarterfinals. 

Before ending the busy year with a team camp in the USA, the Filipinas also saw action in the second round of the AFC Olympic Qualifying Tournament where they then failed to enter the final round for the second consecutive time. 

Current Filipinas head coach Mark Torcaso inherited an accomplished squad formerly mentored by Alen Stajcic, who brought them to the World Cup. 

The Filipinas are now only one place behind fellow Southeast Asian country Vietnam, which was previously ranked No. 34.