Romwel Anzures

Hali Long (5) in action with the Philippine women's national football team against Thailand in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, December 14, 2025 at the Chonburi Stadium. PFF-PWNFT via POC Media

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1785142761266IMG_1513.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Hali Long (5) in action with the Philippine women&#x27;s national football team against Thailand in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, December 14, 2025 at the Chonburi Stadium. PFF-PWNFT via POC Media.MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed hope that football will continue to grow in the Philippines during his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.</div>&quot;Sa halimbawa ng Filipinas women&#x27;s football team, sana rin ay mas sumikat pa ang football sa ating bansa at marami ang maglaro,&quot; the President said as he discussed sports and health in his address.The Philippine Football Federation thanked Marcos for his praise for the Filipinas, as well as his expression of hope for the men&#x27;s football team.&quot;Lubos na nagpapasalamat ang Philippine Football Federation sa paghirang ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos sa Philippine football sa kanyang State of the Nation Address,&quot; the PFF said.&quot;Sama-sama nating iangat ang Pilipinas sa global stage ng football! Tayo naman, Pilipinas!&quot;The Philippine women&#x27;s national football team is currently gearing up for its return to the FIFA Women&#x27;s World Cup in 2027, where it hopes to improve on its historic debut in 2023.Since then, the Filipinas have continued their rise by capturing the country&#x27;s first-ever football gold medal at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand.The Filipinas are now preparing for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, where they will face reigning bronze medalist and world No. 16 China, No. 51 Uzbekistan, and No. 81 Hong Kong in Group G.As the Filipinas continue to carry the country&#x27;s flag on the international stage, Marcos Jr. said he hopes the men&#x27;s national team can eventually follow suit.&quot;Balang-araw, baka makasali na ang Pilipinas sa World Cup,&quot; he said.The men&#x27;s team, for its part, returns to action on Tuesday, opening its Group B schedule in the 2026 ASEAN Championship against Myanmar.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed hope that football will continue to grow in the Philippines during his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed hope that football will continue to grow in the Philippines during his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

SONA: Marcos Jr. eyes brighter future for Philippine football

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SONA: Marcos Jr. eyes brighter future for Philippine football

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 27, 2026 05:20 PM PHT

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Updated July 27, 2026 06:38 PM PHT

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SONA 2026

State of the National Address

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

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