The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) celebrates a milestone evening in Philippine sporting history as more than 5,000 passionate Filipino fans filled the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Sunday, delivering a thunderous and unforgettable atmosphere for the final of the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup—the first FIFA World Cup ever hosted by the Philippines.
The electric crowd, one of the largest and most enthusiastic showings in any international event at PhilSports in recent years, witnessed Brazil defeat Portugal, 3–0, to become the first champions of the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, cementing its status as the world’s No. 1 women’s futsal team.
The 5k+ strong Philippine crowd drew the delight of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who visited Manila during the tournament, praising the Philippines’ hosting and its potential as a rising futsal nation.
“A big, big thank you to the Philippines for being such incredible hosts of the first-ever FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, including a full house of over 5,000 fans at the final! This first edition of this tournament has set such high standards on and off the pitch and everyone involved should be extremely proud of their contributions,” President Infantino said.
“I am especially grateful to the people of the Philippines and the Philippine Football Federation, led by President John Gutierrez, and FIFA Council Member Mariano Araneta who have welcomed the world with open arms and brought people together from all over the world to celebrate the best of women’s futsal,” he added.
A crowd like no other
While Brazil, Portugal, Spain, and Argentina brought their fans and colors into the arena, among the loud and proud spectators came from various football communities–youth and grassroots players, parents, coaches, and futsal advocates from all over the country–such as the Tuloy Foundation, Gawad Kalinga, Imus Futsal, Santo Cristo and San Francisco Futsal Clubs, Malabon Futsal Club, Trefe Football Club, Corazon Football Club, Payatas FC, Tondo FC, Bilibid FC, Quezon City and Rizal LGUs.
Furthermore, the young players and coaches of the winning clubs of PFF’s Filipina5 Futsal Fiesta (FFF), held in thirty Regional Football Associations in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, were flown in to Metro Manila to watch the World Cup live.
A flagship initiative of PFF’s FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup 2025 Legacy Program and FIFA Women’s Football Development Program, the Filipina5 Futsal Fiesta aims to popularize futsal at the grassroots level, highlight the growing achievements of Filipino women in the sport, and give an opportunity for grassroots girls to watch the World Cup live in Pasig by winning their regional FFF tournaments.
The FFF winning clubs are, as follows:
- Pagadian Junior College FC (Pagadian-Zamboanga del Sur-Sibugay)
- Mighty Valorous FC (Olongapo-Zambales)
- Alpha FC (Batangas)
- Tiago B (Zamboanga del Norte-Dipolog)
- Pantukan FC (Golden Davao)
- Santa Maria Tigers FC (Davao South)
- Pacific FC (Surigao del Norte-Dinagat)
- Golabitz FC (Davao North)
- Borongan FC (East Visayas)
- Red Corals United FC (Zamboanga-Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-Tawi)
- Datu Ibrahim Paglas Memorial College (Maguindanao-Cotabato City)
- Antipolo City Futsal Community (Rizal)
- Lucena Warriors FC (Quezon)
- Yurich FC (Puerto Princesa)
- Kalye Kwatro FC (Agusan del Sur-Surigao del Sur)
- Balangay Sentinels FC (Butuan-Agusan del Norte)
- Mahayahay United FC-A (Iligan-Lanao del Norte-Lanao del Sur)
- Stonefield FC (Misamis Occidental-Ozamiz)
- Isulan National High School (Sultan Kudarat)
- Pozorrubio United (Pangasinan)
- Tuban FC (Mindoro-MIMAROPA)
- Central Luzon State University (Central Luzon)
- Benguet State University (Cordillera)
- Masbate Sports Academy (South East Luzon-Masbate)
- Talisay Razkals (Cebu)
- Negros Oriental State University (Negros Oriental-Siquijor)
- Peñafrancia United FC (Central Bicol)
- M’lang National FC (Mount Apo)
- Pamplona de Pontevedra (Negros Occidental)
- GaHer FC (Bohol)
They were joined by thousands of Filipino sports fans whose loud cheers served as a vibrant testament to the sport’s rapid growth in the Philippines.
PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez expressed deep gratitude for the strong turnout.
“Tonight showed the world what Filipino sports fans are made of. Even on days when our national team–the Filipina5–was not playing, our people came in droves, packed PhilSports, and created a world-class atmosphere. Their support is the biggest victory for Philippine futsal,” Gutierrez commended.
He added: “Maraming salamat sa bawat batang atleta, sa bawat grassroots coach, at sa bawat pamilyang nagpunta rito. You gave this World Cup a heart, a soul, and a legacy that will be remembered for generations.”
Brazil’s dazzles in final
Brazil demonstrated its trademark technical mastery and offensive prowess in the championship match, striking decisively at key moments to claim the inaugural crown. Emilly opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a blistering shot from the penalty arc off Ana Luiza’s assist, marking her seventh goal of the tournament and securing the Golden Boot.
Amandinha, the eight-time Best Woman Futsal Player in the World, doubled the lead in the 23rd minute by capitalizing on a rebound after Portuguese goalkeeper Ana Catarina blocked Simone’s delivery.
Debora Vanin sealed Brazil’s commanding 3-0 victory in the 38th minute with a composed long-range finish, earning a celebration from a passionate Filipino crowd for a star-studded squad.
Earlier, Spain claimed bronze with a 5–1 win over Argentina, highlighted by Laura Cordoba’s brace. Both teams had previously faced the Filipina5, offering fans a benchmark for the country’s progress. Despite earlier losses, the Filipina5 impressed by scoring against world No. 2 Spain and No. 6 Argentina, prompting PFF President Gutierrez to note their growth and potential with continued support.
Building a legacy for the Philippines
The full attendance—especially from young grassroots players and futsal communities—underscored the deepening roots of futsal within Filipino communities. This aligns with the PFF’s long-term blueprint, “Beyond the Court: Futsal Impact Initiatives,” which aims to expand grassroots development, grow girls’ participation, and build sustainable national pathways.
The tournament leaves behind multiple legacy projects—from futsal flooring donations to grassroots initiatives to expanded training facilities, with the Philsports Arena being eyed by Philippine Sports Commission Chair Pato Gregorio as the country’s “House of Futsal”—signifying a new era for Philippine futsal.
PFF believes that the success of the World Cup, combined with Filipino fans’ overwhelming support, signals the start of futsal’s rise as one of the premier sports for women in the Philippines.
“This is a turning point,” said Gutierrez. “The passion we saw in the arena proves that futsal has a home here. The World Cup’s legacy will not end tonight—it will live on in every child dreaming of having a career in this sport because they were inspired by what they saw.”
“Hosting this tournament means the world to us. With the continued support of FIFA, our government, and most importantly, the Filipino people, we will build a future where futsal thrives from the grassroots all the way to the global stage,” Gutierrez concluded.
