PH to face tough group at 2025 FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Philippines will face tough competition at the inaugural edition of the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup based on the results of the draw ceremony on Monday, Sept. 15.

The country is with Argentina, Morocco, and Poland in Group A.

According to FIFA’s world rankings, Argentina is world no. 6, Poland is no. 14, and Morocco is no. 31. The Philippines is ranked 63rd.

“They have a lot of experience, a lot of games, a lot of tournaments. It’s gonna be very difficult,” Filipina5 head coach Rafa Merino Rodriguez said of the teams in Group A.

“They’re physically very strong, it’s gonna be very tough,” the Barcelona-born coach said.

Rodriguez said the women’s team will visit Japan for a training camp and play friendlies, which would be an opportunity for him to pick “the most appropriate” roster for the world cup.

He also said the experience in the 2025 AFC Women's Futsal Asian Cup was useful to correct team errors.

The nationals, with three consecutive losses, exited that competition, which served as the qualifications for the Asian confederation to the world cup. But the country qualified for the world cup as host.

Filipina5 player Alisha del Campo said she hopes they will have good fights in Group A.

“I think [it will be] easier for coach to plan our training, more tactical training, more specific, especially with the given draw,” she said.

Filipina5 standout Isabella Flanigan assured they are continuously honing their skills and tactics.

“I think each group is very unpredictable on who will come out on the top,” Flanigan said.

“I think what we have to work with is what we are going to focus on, take it game by game and learn as much as we can about who we are going to compete against,” she said.

Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout phase.

The Philippines will open its campaign against Poland, when the tournament begins on Nov. 21.

The world cup will be held in Pasig City until Dec. 7.

Here’s the complete results of the draw ceremony:

Group A

Philippines

Poland

Morocco

Argentina

Group B

Spain

Thailand

Colombia

Canada

Group C

Portugal

Tanzania

Japan

New Zealand

Group D

Brazil

Iran

Italy

Panama