Camille Naredo

Nya Harrison, Emma Tovar, and Kaela Hansen. Prospects for the World Cup-bound Filipinas are in the Philippines to undergo citizenship eligibility proceedings before Congress. Handout/PFF via PSC

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779695095834att.xi-m_k67Xc5V2eoy_eWtpywW48vR1WU00BDvFKmCI_0.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Nya Harrison, Emma Tovar, and Kaela Hansen. Prospects for the World Cup-bound Filipinas are in the Philippines to undergo citizenship eligibility proceedings before Congress. Handout/PFF via PSC" width="960"/>Nya Harrison, Emma Tovar, and Kaela Hansen. Prospects for the World Cup-bound Filipinas are in the Philippines to undergo citizenship eligibility proceedings before Congress. Handout/PFF via PSC</div>MANILA -- The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) welcomed the progress in the naturalization process of Emma Tovar, Nya Harrison, and Kaela Hansen, after their applications were tackled by the Committee on Youth and Sports Development of the House of Representatives.The three players are hoping to be eligible for the Philippine women&#x27;s national football team via House Bills 9067, 9068, and 9071 – authored by Isabela Congressman Mike Dy III and Manila Congressman Joel Chua – complementing Senate Bills 1678 to 1680 filed in January by Senator Pia Cayetano.All three are being considered for the Filipinas&#x27; roster to the 2027 FIFA Women&#x27;s World Cup.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/4/24/torcaso-outlines-filipinas-roadmap-for-women-s-world-cup-1735">READ: Torcaso outlines Filipinas&#x27; roadmap for Women&#x27;s World Cup</a></div>&quot;These players will not only add depth and quality to our national team pool. They also represent a broader truth: that Filipino identity does not end at our national borders. It can continue across generations, across countries, and across families who have kept their connection to the Philippines alive,&quot; PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez said in a statement to the House Committee.&quot;Their connection to the Philippines is therefore not merely professional or sporting. It is personal. It is rooted in family, ancestry, identity, and a sincere desire to represent the country of their heritage.&quot;Head coach Mark Torcaso, who is preparing the Filipinas senior and U20 squad talent ID camp and preparations in San Diego, California, by the last week of May and early June, welcomed the development.&quot;It&#x27;s really exciting to see that these players have stayed patient and positive about the honor of representing the Philippines. They had an exciting meeting with Congress, supported by President Gutierrez in hope for them to receive and complete their passport process. We are thankful and grateful for the support of the House of Representatives and looking forward to the completion of this process soon,&quot; said Torcaso.Tovar, a highly regarded defensive midfielder, currently plays for Australian club Perth Glory  on loan from Spanish side Valencia CF Femenino. Known for her composure in possession and tactical intelligence, she has been part of the Filipinas pool since early last year.Harrison, a full-back who previously represented the United States at the U18 level, built her reputation as a regular for NCAA Division I powerhouse Stanford Cardinal women&#x27;s soccer and now plays professionally for San Diego Wave FC in the National Women&#x27;s Soccer League (NWSL).Meanwhile, Hansen, a central defender and former Canada U17 women&#x27;s national team player, currently suits up for AFC Toronto after previous professional stints in Serbia and Finland.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/3/19/filipinas-book-second-straight-world-cup-appearance-with-rout-of-uzbekistan-1335">READ: Filipinas book second straight World Cup appearance with rout of Uzbekistan</a></div>Earlier, the nationality bid of the three alongside Villareal striker Alexia Blanco, popularly known as Alexia Jr., was also formally initiated after Pia Cayetano filed Senate Bill No. 1677 to 1680 last January 28.The PFF remains optimistic that the successful progress of these proceedings will further strengthen the Filipinas&#x27; depth and competitiveness on the international stage in the years ahead.

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) welcomed the progress in the naturalization process of Emma Tovar, Nya Harrison, and Kaela Hansen, after their applications were tackled by the Committee on Youth and Sports Development of the House of Representatives.

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) welcomed the progress in the naturalization process of Emma Tovar, Nya Harrison, and Kaela Hansen, after their applications were tackled by the Committee on Youth and Sports Development of the House of Representatives.

PFF hopes for naturalization of 3 players ahead of Women's World Cup

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PFF hopes for naturalization of 3 players ahead of Women's World Cup

ABS-CBN News

Published May 25, 2026 03:45 PM PHT

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football

women's football

FIFA

FIFA Women's World Cup

Filipinas

Philippine women's national football team

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PFF

Philippine Football Federation

Emma Tovar

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