Camille Naredo

Fans and visitors celebrate the homecoming of the Philippine Women’s National Football Team at the SM MOA Sky Amphitheater in Pasay City on February 20, 2026. The event honors their historic gold medal win at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games and features a mini meet-and-greet session with supporters. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

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ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- The Philippine Women&#x27;s National Football Team has risen to No. 39 in the latest edition of the FIFA Women&#x27;s Rankings, after their successful campaign in the 2026 AFC Women&#x27;s Asian Cup.There, the Filipinas secured their ticket to next year&#x27;s FIFA Women&#x27;s World Cup in Brazil -- the second straight time that they will see action in the global showcase.The Filipinas made an impression in their World Cup debut in 2023, where their campaign was highlighted by a 1-0 win over co-host New Zealand in the group stage. Head coach Mark Torcaso assures that they will not be content with participating in Brazil next year, as they hope to advance beyond the group stage. “Our objective is very clear: we are going to the World Cup to compete and not just participate. We will do what we can to get out of the group,” Torcaso said. “That means our preparation has to be deliberate and aligned with that ambition.”<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17770232954641000000572.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Fans and visitors celebrate the homecoming of the Philippine Women’s National Football Team at the SM MOA Sky Amphitheater in Pasay City on February 20, 2026. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File</div>With this in mind, Torcaso outlined an optimal preparation model centered on maximizing all available FIFA international windows. Beginning June, the team will engage in a globally diverse schedule, facing opponents from multiple confederations to simulate the varied challenges expected at the World Cup.“From June onwards, we will maximize every FIFA window, expose the team to different styles across continents, and continuously raise our standards in both training and competition,” he saod.At the same time, the Australian gaffer stressed that elite preparation extends beyond match volume. A key pillar of the Filipinas’ approach is ensuring that players remain in peak physical and mental condition through sustained performance in their respective club environments.“Proper preparation is not just about playing more games, it’s about having the players in the best possible condition, physically and mentally, and ensuring they are performing consistently at their clubs,” Torcaso explained. “We are building a program where every detail matters.”The Filipinas had executed an effective strategy in the Women&#x27;s Asian Cup that allowed them to navigate a challenging group, and eventually defeat Uzbekistan for a place in the World Cup.That also propelled them two places higher in the world rankings.&quot;We&#x27;re pretty proud of the FIFA ranking. Over the last couple of months, we&#x27;ve been working towards getting back in the top 40,&quot; Torcaso said.&quot;That shows the commitment that everyone has put into this national team, not only in recent times, but over the last four to ten years. So we&#x27;re really excited by constantly moving up the rankings and we want to keep pushing more and more. 39 is not where we want to stop. We want to keep going.&quot;PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to maintaining this upward trajectory, emphasizing that the Filipinas’ success reflects a broader institutional effort to elevate Philippine football across all levels.“Our success is built on strong relationships with our players, our coaches, and the clubs that develop and support them every day,” Gutierrez said. “This balanced approach ensures that our Filipinas are not only prepared for the World Cup, but are consistently performing at the highest level year-round.”“Thanks to the PFF for their support of this national team for directly managing and providing resources like Balesin, and for advancing Philippine football as a whole. The Federation has ensured that this team is backed 100 percent in its preparation for the World Cup and the long-term vision of all our women’s teams,’’ said Torcaso.

The Philippine Women's National Football Team has risen to No. 39 in the latest edition of the FIFA Women's Rankings, after their successful campaign in the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup.

The Philippine Women's National Football Team has risen to No. 39 in the latest edition of the FIFA Women's Rankings, after their successful campaign in the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup.

Torcaso outlines Filipinas' roadmap for Women's World Cup

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Torcaso outlines Filipinas' roadmap for Women's World Cup

ABS-CBN News

Published April 24, 2026 05:35 PM PHT

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football

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FIFA Women's World Cup

Mark Torcaso

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