“We want the best talented players to engage and be identified for potential call-ups to our national youth teams. The U16 and U19 national tournaments are designed to prepare our national teams for the upcoming AFF and AFC U17 and U20 tournaments. We want to give every young Filipino the opportunity to show their skills and represent the country.” – Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President John Anthony Gutierrez
The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has launched the PFF National Under-16 and Under-19 Championships. This new initiative is designed to identify and develop young Filipino football players and create a pathway for them to join the national team.
The nationwide qualification rounds began on Saturday, August 9, in collaboration with all Regional Football Associations. The tournaments will help select players for upcoming international competitions, including the 2026 AFC U-17 Men’s Asian Cup Qualifiers in November. The championships are structured to provide a clear path for young athletes to advance to national team assignments and professional careers.
The qualification phase will feature 11-a-side matches until September 7. The Under-16 category is for boys born between 2010 and 2012, and the Under-19 category is for those born from 2007 to 2009.
Teams that qualify from the local rounds will move on to the Regional Qualifiers in September and October. The top teams will then compete in the National Group Stage in November for a spot in the Final Stage.
These national tournaments will be held to provide the national U17 and U20 men’s teams a wider pool for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers (ACQ), which will start with the 2026 U17 ACQ in Amman Jordan from November 22 to 30, 2025.
PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez stated that this new structure aims to bridge the gap between youth and senior football by connecting emerging players with opportunities in both professional and amateur leagues.
