VANCOUVER — The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) joined football’s global family at two landmark gatherings in Vancouver, Canada — the 36th Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Congress on April 28 and the 76th FIFA Ordinary Congress on April 30, 2026 — as one of 211 FIFA member associations and 47 AFC member associations convening in the coastal Canadian city to shape the future of the world’s most popular sport.
Held at the Vancouver Convention Centre just weeks before the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, the back-to-back congresses delivered major decisions on record-breaking investment, anti-racism commitments, youth development, and the long-term strategic direction of both Asian and global football.
With FIFA Council Member and former PFF President Mariano V. Araneta also present, the PFF delegation to both congresses was led by John Anthony Gutierrez and General Secretary Gelix Mercader, joined by Third Vice President Engr. Rodney Orale (President, Cebu RFA), Executive Committee Member Atty. Gemayel Gampong (General Secretary, Sultan Kudarat RFA), and Executive Committee Member Rufino “Pines” Arellano (General Secretary, Southeast Luzon-Masbate RFA).
PFF President Gutierrez reflected on the significance of the Philippines’ presence in Vancouver and the federation’s continued rise within Asian and global football.
“The Philippines is no longer a footnote in Asian football. Today, we are an active, respected, and growing member of the global football community, and that progress is the result of years of hard work and leadership from people who genuinely believed in Philippine football,” Gutierrez said.
“From the time of Sir Nonong Araneta to the present administration, we have strengthened our standing internationally, expanded opportunities for our players and coaches, and shown that Philippine football can compete and grow sustainably on the world stage,” he added.
Gutierrez emphasized the indispensable role both FIFA and the AFC have played in the country’s development.
“We are deeply grateful to FIFA President Gianni Infantino and AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa for their inclusive leadership and unwavering support for developing member associations like the Philippines,” he said.
FIFA and the AFC have been indispensable partners in our journey — from infrastructure development and grassroots programs to coaching education and international competitions. Because of that support, countries like the Philippines are given the tools, resources, and confidence to build something lasting.
“We have hosted the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, secured the Filipinas’ back-to-back FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification, improved facilities across the country, deepened our technical and coaching capacity, and watched our youth national teams achieve milestones that once felt impossible. Vancouver is a reminder that the Philippines truly belongs in the global football family, and we are committed to contributing even more in the years ahead,” said Gutierrez.
36th AFC Congress: A bold new era
The AFC Congress, held on April 28 at the Vancouver Convention Centre, set the stage for the FIFA gathering that followed. AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa underscored a year of transformation, expressing gratitude to member associations for their resilience through a period of global uncertainty.
“In these challenging times, your commitment to keeping the beautiful game alive across our continent has been nothing short of inspiring,” he said.
The year 2025 saw the AFC successfully deliver 16 competitions, including a groundbreaking revamp of its club competitions structure. The Congress also outlined a purposeful shift toward high-impact investment in 2027 and 2028 aligned with the Confederation’s Vision and Mission, while key strategic steps for the 2029–2036 commercial cycle were presented to sustain historic levels of investment in member associations, regional associations, and clubs.
AFC President Shaikh Salman also presented commemorative plaques to the record nine AFC member associations that qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026, while reaffirming football’s role as a unifying force.
“Football has always been a bridge, and never a barrier. It is a source for hope and a force for peace — and now more than ever, we cannot and must not let external conditions affect our unity.”
76th FIFA Congress: Unity and equality
FIFA President Infantino opened the 76th FIFA Congress with a message centered on unity, equality, and football’s power to transcend political and cultural divisions.
“Football unites the world. FIFA unites the world. You unite the world. We unite the world,” he declared, referencing all 48 participating nations at the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 as a symbol of the sport’s global reach and inclusivity.
Infantino also reaffirmed FIFA’s commitment to equality among all member associations.
“FIFA has 211 members and all 211 are equal. We will not leave anyone behind.”
For a federation like the PFF, which has relied on FIFA and AFC funding to accelerate infrastructure and grassroots initiatives, the Congress’ emphasis on inclusive growth signals an encouraging future for Philippine football.
FIFA Chief Football Officer Jill Ellis delivered a strong case for women’s football as a strategic necessity rather than an obligation, while FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger emphasized the urgent need for structured youth development pathways — themes that closely align with the PFF’s ongoing priorities at home.
FIFA President Infantino also confirmed his intention to stand for re-election at the 77th FIFA Congress, scheduled for March 18, 2027, in Rabat.
Lessons brought home
PFF Executive Committee Member Gemayel Gampong, who was brought by the federation to observe best practices in football governance, was also tapped by FIFA as one of its official Congress scrutineers — an honor he described as among the most meaningful of his career.
“I witnessed firsthand how football is truly built through vision, sacrifice, relationships, and relentless hard work,” he said, recalling late-night meetings that stretched into the early hours in pursuit of international partnerships and camaraderie.
“Sometimes they would only take quick naps between meetings. Their response was always the same: ‘We may never get another opportunity to meet these people again. We have to grab every opportunity and every minute we can.’”
Gampong also pointed to FIFA’s long-term planning structure as a governance model the PFF should continue striving to emulate.
Sustainable planning creates stronger programs, stronger partnerships, and greater trust from sponsors who value stability, direction, and accountability.
Third Vice President Engr. Rodney Orale, who also represents PFF’s infrastructure committee, had the opportunity to discuss the status of football pitch projects with FIFA and AFC .
Orale, who is also President of Cebu Regional Football Association (CRFA), said that “For the CRFA, this is an important opportunity to get to know other member associations and invite them to visit the Philippines for friendly games across various regions,” he said.
Orale also highlighted the value of observing FIFA’s disciplined, agenda-driven Congress proceedings as a useful model for strengthening local football governance and administration.
Arellano, meanwhile, joined the PFF delegation to advocate for the inclusion of futsal in the 2026 ASEAN School Games in Jakarta, in which he proposes to send the winners of the 2026 Palarong Pambansa futsal tournaments to the regional youth meet.
PFF returns from Vancouver energized, reaffirmed, and determined to continue building a stronger football future for the country, not only as participant in the global game but as an important stakeholder helping shape its future.
