A landmark moment for women's sports and for the Philippines is set to begin this week. The country is proudly hosting the first-ever FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup, a historic event that finally brings the global spotlight to women's indoor football.
A Historic First for Women's Football
This Friday, November 21, 2025, marks the start of a tournament that has been a long time coming. While the men's FIFA Futsal World Cup began in 1989, a women's edition had never been organized until now. In an incredible achievement for the nation, the Philippines won the hosting rights in 2022, beating out bids from established football nations like Spain, Brazil, and Portugal.
The inaugural tournament will run for over two weeks, concluding on December 7, 2025. All matches will be held at the Philsports Arena in Pasig, a venue once known as the Ultra, which is now the center of the futsal universe.
The Philippine Journey to Hosting
The path to hosting was not without its challenges. Cebu was initially a prime candidate to be a host city. Back in June 2024, a delegation including then-Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president John Gutierrez, then-chairman of the Cebu City Sports Commission, and officials like Vice Mayor Dondon Hontiveros, Rodney Orale of the Central Visayas Football Association (CVFA), and Councilor Joel Garganera, explored the possibility.
The dream was to host the event at the SM Seaside Arena. However, after discussions with Ms. Marissa Fernan of SM, it was confirmed that the coliseum would not be ready in time. The search continued to other venues like the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City and the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, but they could not meet international specifications. Victorias City in Negros Occidental was later selected to co-host but also withdrew, leading to the decision to centralize the event at Philsports Arena.
The Filipina5 and the Global Stage
This event is monumental as it provides a long-overdue global platform for women athletes. A total of 16 nations will compete for the trophy:
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Canada
- Colombia
- Iran
- Italy
- Japan
- Morocco
- New Zealand
- Panama
- Poland
- Portugal
- Spain
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Philippines (Host)
The Philippine national team, dubbed the Filipina5, is ready to make its mark on home soil. The squad is led by familiar stars from the Filipinas' 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup squad, including Jaclyn Sawicki, Bella Flanigan, and Katrina Guillou. They are joined by a talented roster:
- Dionesa Tolentin
- Charisa Lemoran
- Rocelle Mendano
- Isabella Bandoja
- Lanie Ortillo
- Kayla Santiago
- Catherine Graversen
- Samantha Hughes
- Regine Rebosura
- Judy Connolly
- Alisha del Campo
The team is under the guidance of head coach Rafa Merino.
The 63rd-ranked Filipina5 will have a challenging but exciting group stage. They open their campaign against world No. 14 Poland on November 21. Their second match is against Morocco on November 24, followed by a clash with powerhouse Argentina on November 27.
This is more than just a sports tournament; it's the celebration of a historic first. It's a story of perseverance, not just for the host nation, but for women in sport everywhere. This isn't just history—it's HERstory in the making.
