An advance team from FIFA inspects the Philsports Arena in Pasig City on February 12, 2025, ahead of the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup. The inaugural tournament is scheduled to be held in November. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File
MANILA – With 40 days left until the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup, the Philippine Women's National Futsal Team or Filipina5 is ready to represent the Philippines.
Filipina5 member Maye Mendaño believes it's all systems go for the team ahead of the country's hosting of the first-ever FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup.
"We’re very prepared po, we train 4 to 5 times a week, so we’re 100 percent ready," Medaño said on Saturday at the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup trophy experience in Ortigas.
"Of course, we’re very excited kasi ito nga ang pinakamataas na tournament in futsal," she added.
Filipina5 team captain Dionesa "Inday" Tolentin still can't shake off the surreal feeling that the first-ever FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup will be held at home.
"We’re doing our best po na lahat ng training namin ay ma-apply namin sa upcoming games. Nakapaglaro na po kami sa ibang bansa. Yung una po ay sa Uzbekistan, China, and then yung last namin na camp ay sa Japan po," she shared.
Tolentin shared the benefit of facing some of their opponents in training camp, even before the actual tournament.
"Malaking tulong po sa amin na makalaban po yung mga nakalaro namin sa camp kasi yun po yun yung masasabi mo talaga na kaya pala talaga namin mag-compete sa World Cup," she said.
The Filipina5 co-captain encouraged Filipino fans to come watch the games and show their support in November.
"Huwag niyo po kaming iwan at suportahan niyo po kami sa mga upcoming games namin starting this November 21, at inaasahan namin kayo na suportahan kami," Tolentin said.
The Philippines is in Group A with world no. 14 Poland, world no. 31 Morocco and world no. 6 Argentina.
FIFA WWC TROPHY EXPERIENCE
As part of the countdown for the inaugural tournament, the local organizing committee gave an up close look at the FFWWC trophy in Ortigas.
FFWWC Deputy Project Lead Kyra Dimaandal explained how a country may be able to keep a FIFA trophy and the significance of having the trophy here in the Philippines.
"May ruling si FIFA na dapat may specific number na kailangan mong panalunin ang world cup para mapasainyo yung trophy na ‘to. So at this time since ito ang first-ever trophy, dito muna siya manatili," she said.
"Pag may manalo, mauuwi nila ito for a bit, but then sa second na FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, ito pa rin yung trophy na gagamitin, so nag-iisa lang talaga siya. Kaya medyo special talaga na nandito yung world cup trophy ngayon," Dimaandal added.
The FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup will run from November 21 to December 5 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
"What’s good about our ticketing is that one ticket gives you access to multiple games. When you buy a ticket, you can access at least two games. On some days, you can access four games, so sulit po siya talaga na ticket," Dimaandal said.
Tickets are available at futsalwwc.com or FIFA.com/tickets.