It’s a win for the local football scene, women’s sports, and Philippine sports in general.
Related: Herstory Made: Philippine Women’s National Football Team Clinches A Spot At The World Cup
For the longest time, the narrative around sports in the Philippines is that if it isn’t basketball, volleyball, or boxing, it isn’t getting attention despite obvious talent in other fields. But as more and more Filipino athletes excel in other sports such as gymnastics and pole vaulting, we’re seeing doors open for resources and opportunities for local athletes in other sports, as it should be. And just in time for Women’s Month, the Philippines got another W in the local football scene and women’s sports in general as the host country of the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup.
A WOMEN’S WORLD CUP COMES TO THE PHILIPPINES
ICYDK, the Philippines is set to host the first-ever FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup this November. The festivities kicked off recently with the unveiling of the official tournament emblem and Official Slogan – Master The Speed, capturing the speed of the game and the unstoppable energy of the host nation. While football isn’t as popular in the Philippines as it is in other countries, we’ve seen time and time again that Filipinos can make waves in the sport. In the women’s field, we have of course The Filipinas and their historic participation and game win at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
The Philippines hosting an official FIFA World Cup is an achievement in itself. But the fact that we’ll be the host country of the first-ever FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup is a feat for the history books.
“The launch of this brand marks a major milestone, not just for this event, but for the advancement of women in sport globally,” said Philippine Football Federation President John Anthony Gutierrez during the official unveiling. “It is an honour for our country to host the first-ever edition of the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, and we are proud to welcome the world’s best national teams for a tournament that will inspire girls and women to pursue a career in sport. This tournament will capture the imagination of fans in the Philippines and beyond, forging a path for future generations.”
Embodying the spirit of the host country, the emblem has a distinctly Filipino flavour, fusing futsal’s key elements with references to local street art and motifs, Zamboanga vinta boats, the gabbang musical instrument, and traditional binakol patterns. The powerful visual identity reflects a game that is constantly on the move and the sights and sounds of the host nation, which are combined with depictions of the futsal ball, the shape of the pitch, and the five members of each team. The design also features arrows that portray the fine line between defence and attack in a form of football renowned for its speed and skill.
“With the launch of this brand, the countdown begins to a landmark event that will further accelerate the rapid growth of women’s football, both in the region and globally,” shared FIFA Chief Women’s Football Officer Dame Sarai Bareman in a video message. “This tournament will be a defining moment for the women’s game, bringing together the best national teams in the world from all six confederations to showcase their talent and inspire future generations.”
Adds FIFA Director of Tournaments Jaime Yarza, “It is incredible to see how women’s futsal has grown over the past couple of decades, culminating in the launch of the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup in the heart of Southeast Asia this year. For this inaugural edition, the number of teams involved in qualifying amounted to no fewer than 70. With just over eight months to go, excitement is building ahead of what promises to be an enthralling competition in a destination that is renowned for its beauty and culture – and this has been vividly depicted in the stunning tournament emblem.”
FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup Philippines 2025 kicks off this November, specifically from November 21 to December 7. Sixteen of the world’s top women’s national teams will battle it out in the country in a quest to be crowned the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup champions. And yes, the Philippines has already secured a slot as one of the competing teams. With the upcoming tournament, here’s hoping local futsal and football get further investments to reach even more Filipinos as well as girls and women to have even more opportunities in the sport.
Continue Reading: These Filipina Athletes Are Breaking Barriers For Women In Sports
