From Asian Games to World Cup, Filipinas in for tough buildup

Filipinas players celebrate during an AFC Women’s Asian Cup match.–PFF PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine women’s national football team is gearing up for a hectic schedule beginning with the 2026 Japan Asian Games in September.

Rest days will be scarce for the Filipinas, who are in for a rigorous buildup in preparation for next year’s Brazil Fifa Women’s World Cup, which kicks off in June.

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READ: Filipinas blend youth, experience to seal Fifa World Cup return

The Filipinas are riding high following a historic gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games last December and AFC Women’s Asian Cup campaign four months ago, where they booked a return ticket to the World Cup.

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“This is our opportunity to go again, and we just want to show the world that we’re going to do this again and, more importantly, we’re going to do it our way,” coach Mark Torcaso said.

“We’re here to create our own path and chance to do well in this next World Cup.”

The Nationals underwent training camp in San Diego last month, where they also laid the groundwork for their road to Brazil 2027.

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The Filipinas faced clubs San Diego Wave and Albion San Diego with a 30-woman pool that included new faces and several returning players.

“Every camp and every opportunity we’ve got is strategically organized in a way so we’re going to be ready for this World Cup,” Torcaso explained, noting the matches were deliberately arranged to test the squad’s depth.

As far as the Asiad is concerned, the team is determined to surpass its quarterfinal finish in the previous edition held in Hangzhou, China.

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“The main objective in this Asian Games is obviously to go as far as we can, but it’s also for us as coaches and the country to test some players at a tough level to see if they’ll be ready for the World Cup,” he said.

Aside from the continental showcase, the Filipinas are also set for a trip to South America in October, matches against Asia-Oceania opposition to end the year, and participation in the Pinatar Cup in February 2027 in Spain.

On top of that, the 2028 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in April 2027, which features a home-and-away format, is also on the Filipinas’ calendar before they embark on an extended four to six-week camp in Brazil ahead of the World Cup.

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The Philippines reached its first-ever Women’s World Cup in 2023, which saw the Filipinas claim a historic 1-0 victory over New Zealand courtesy of a Sarina Bolden header in the first half.