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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider PH squad ready to make an impact in futsal meet

PH squad ready to make an impact in futsal meet

Published Aug 19, 2025 03:06 pm

At A Glance

  • The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) is pinning its hopes on the national team which is facing tall odds in the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup the country is hosting from Nov. 21 to Dec. 7.
Isabella Fernando, from left, PFF president John Gutierrez, PSC chairman Pato Gregorio, and commissioner Edward Hayco
Isabella Fernando, from left, PFF president John Gutierrez, PSC chairman Pato Gregorio, and commissioner Edward Hayco
The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) is pinning its hopes on the national team which is facing tall odds in the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup the country is hosting from Nov. 21 to Dec. 7.
With 16 teams coming from six futsal nations, the tournament will be held at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City and at the Victorias City Coliseum in Negros Occidental simultaneously.
Despite the tough mission, PFF president John Gutierrez said the Nationals are eager to perform well in front of home fans and compete against the world’s best.
“We’re not here just to participate, we’re here to make an impact,” said Gutierrez during Tuesday’s PSA Forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT, and the country’s 24/7 sports app Arena Plus.
“We have high-caliber players, magpupursige pa tayo so we can do better, realistically we’re going to be very competitive,” he added.
FIFA will hold a draw on Sept. 15 which will determine the final four groups with four teams each. There, the top two finishers will barge into the knockout phase with the quarterfinal, semifinal, third-place play-off and final following through.
The first iteration of the women’s world futsal would be a memorable one for the host Philippines as FIFA plans to build a minimum of four facilities where current and aspiring booters could hone their skills.
“More than anything, I think target ng FIFA and PFF eh mag-iwan ng legacy after ng hosting, di sila aalis dito na ‘okay tapos na’, magiiwan sila ng facilities para ma-enjoy at ma-enganyo ‘yong mga bata,” Gutierrez continued.
“Excited ako to show to FIFA our hospitality, it's our personality, it’s naturally in our DNA, very excited to show the world what we can do,” he added.
The final roster will be disclosed two weeks prior to the official kickoff due to FIFA regulations. But Isabella Flanigan, Shai Del Campo, and Dionesa Tolentin, to list a few, are expected to banner the 25-woman pool which is made of pure futsal players and some members of the women’s national football team.
Leading the pack are UEFA’s Spain, Italy, Poland, and Portugal with OFC’s New Zealand; CONMEBOL’s Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia; CONCACAF’s Canada and Panama; CAF’s Morocco and Tanzania; and AFC’s Iran, Japan, Thailand and the Philippines.
As part of its preparations, the women’s crew will fly to Japan mid-September to join a training camp.
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