“We’re very excited. We are on time with every and all preparations. We have been closely working with FIFA… It’s looking good for us.
“I think the local organizing committee is doing an excellent job, again, working with FIFA to make sure that we are able to host this very prestigious event.” – Philippine Football Federation President John Anthony Gutierrez.
DRAW CEREMONY IN SEPTEMBER
The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) assured the Philippines’ readiness to host the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez told the members of the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) in its weekly press conference last Tuesday.
Gutierrez, with FIFA Local Organizing Committee Head of Government Relations Isabella Fernando, laid down the preparations of the country for the first FIFA World Cup in the Philippines, which include the upcoming draw of the qualified national teams, coordination with and support of government bodies, the preparation of the Philippines women’s national futsal team, FIFA legacy projects post-World Cup, et cetera.
“We’ve been having meetings almost every day. Updates on certain developments like match hall venues, training venues, and getting them up to par with FIFA standards. So it’s looking good for us,” Gutierrez said.
The World Cup fever will start with the draw of the 16 qualified squads on September 15, 5 PM, at the BGC Arts Theater in Taguig, Fernando disclosed.
The draw will be participated the the representatives of all 16 countries, namely host Philippines, Japan, Iran, Thailand, Morocco, Tanzania, Canada, Panama, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Italy, and New Zealand.
PHILIPPINE WOMEN’S FUTSAL TEAM PREPARATIONS
Gutierrez added that the Philippine national team, dubbed Filipina 5, currently has a pool of 25 players whose “training is ongoing.”
“These are a combination of pure futsal players and some who delve in both football and futsal. A lot of them will be coming from the women’s football national team. But a lot of them will also be coming from, again, a pure futsal background,” Gutierrez remarked about the pool composition.
Per FIFA regulations, Gutierrez said the final 14-woman lineup of the Filipina 5 will be announced three weeks, at the earliest, before the World Cup opening on November 21.
“We plan to send the ladies to Japan mid-September and begin on the fourth week for a training camp. And we’re looking at a host to have us in Europe for the FIFA window in October,” Gutierrez said about the team’s preparation.
TICKETS FOR THE FIFA FUTSAL WOMEN’S WORLD CUP 2025
Fernando also disclosed that tickets will be available after the draw and the assignment of the four groups in the two venues–Philsports Arena in Pasig and Victorias City Coliseum in Negros Occidental–and will be pegged at “affordable” prices.
“Football, futsal, is for the world,” said Gutierrez. “It’s not exclusive. We will make sure that anybody who would like to watch, it will be accessible for anybody who’s interested. Don’t worry about the ticket prices,” he assured.
After the World Cup, Gutierrez said that it will leave a lasting impact in the country with “legacy projects” that include futsal infrastructure and the spread of futsal nationwide.
According to Gutierrez, FIFA doesn’t “just want us to host [the World Cup]; they want us to keep a lasting legacy. And this is where also the government agencies will play a key part, whether establishing the partnership with DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government), and yung infrastructure with PSC (Philippine Sports Commission).”
“With the legacy program… one of the PSC warehouses, one of the facilities, will be transformed into a training venue. Anyway, this is part of the legacy program, because after the World Cup, that training facility will remain. It is FIFA’s gift to the Filipino kids who want to pursue futsal,” Gutierrez explained.
“Napakaganda na, number one, FIFA is not just entrusting us with hosting this prestigious event. They are also leaving a legacy to us. And that is something that we’re very proud of,” Gutierrez concluded.
