It’s official!
The Philippine women’s national football team are advancing to the quarterfinals of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup by being one of the two best third place teams in the three groups.
The confirmation came after Japan’s 4-0 win over Vietnam today in Group C in Perth, which eliminated the 2025 SEA Games silver medalists from quarterfinal contention due to an inferior -4 goal difference compared to the Filipinas’ -2.
Moreover, the Filipinas, semifinalists in the 2022 Asian Cup, have also qualified to the 2028 Olympic Qualifying Tournament by making the #2026WAC quarterfinals, according to the Asian Football Confederation.
John Anthony Gutierrez, president of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF), welcomed the progress of the Philippine women’s national football team on Asia’s biggest stage.
“Qualifying for the quarterfinals despite the challenges of the group stage shows the fighting spirit that define the Filipinas. This is another step in our quest to be back to the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and we stand firmly behind our players as they continue to chase history for Philippine football,” Gutierrez said.
Filipinas head coach Mark Torcaso said reaching the quarterfinals represents a major milestone in the team’s long-term objective of returning to the global stage.
“This process started a very long time ago when we were first tasked with trying to get this team back to another World Cup,” Torcaso said. “Getting into the quarterfinals gives us every chance to get there again.”
Torcaso praised the collective effort of the squad and staff throughout the tournament campaign.
“It’s an outstanding achievement by all the girls, by all the staff, and by everyone that has supported this team over the last couple of years,” he added. “Every save, every goal, every moment of the game has allowed us to be in the situation now where we’ve qualified for the quarterfinals and I’m extremely proud of the girls.”
The Filipinas’ breakthrough, though, was not possible without their aggressive performance against Iran women’s national football team, where they won, 2-0, last Sunday thanks to goals from Sara Eggesvik and Chandler McDaniel.
The opening day game against host and 2023 World Cup semifinalist Australia women’s national football team was also crucial as the Filipinas conceded the least number of goals in head-to-head history against the Matildas at 0-1.
Uzbekistan finished as the best third place team with a -2 goal difference and four goals scored owing to their dominant 4-0 win against Bangladesh yesterday. The three third place teams were all tied on points at three.
Aside from Vietnam, those eliminated were the last place teams in the three groups namely Iran, Bangladesh, and India.
The Filipinas, though, will face the mighty Japan women’s national football team—world champions in 2011 and Asian champions in 2014 and 2018—in the quarterfinals on March 15, 4 PM (1 PM Philippine time) at Stadium Australia in Sydney.
The Filipinas can directly qualify to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil if they upset Japan on Sunday, but can also qualify in the play-in games for fifth and sixth place on March 19 in Gold Coast at 1 PM (11 AM Manila time) in the event of a loss.
Torcaso said the team remains focused as they prepare for the knockout stage while continuing to chase their World Cup dream.
“Our goal was to get out of the group and we’ve done that,” he said. “Now we want to give ourselves every chance to go to another World Cup.”
He also dedicated the team’s achievement to Filipinos around the world who continue to support the national side.
“This is for every Filipino around the world who has supported this team for many years,” Torcaso said. “We just need everyone to continue supporting us through this tournament so we can get a really good outcome.”
PFF calls on Filipinos in Australia, particularly in Sydney, to rally behind the Filipinas on Sunday.
