Sports PH News | JS DEV Site

Tag: AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026

  • Filipinas set sights on World Cup return with new-look squad for AFC Women’s Cup 

    Filipinas set sights on World Cup return with new-look squad for AFC Women’s Cup 

    The road back to the world stage begins now for the Philippine Women’s National Football Team, as the Filipinas turn their focus toward reclaiming a spot in the FIFA Women’s World Cup through the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

     

    With qualification on the line, the Philippine Football Federation has unveiled a carefully balanced 26-player roster built around experience, youth, and continuity. The tournament opens on March 1, where the Filipinas immediately face a major test against host nation Australia women’s national soccer team.

     

    Rather than simply replicating the squad that made history in 2023, the coaching staff has leaned into evolution—retaining core veterans while introducing a wave of emerging talents expected to shape the program’s future.

     

    Key returnees include Hali Long, Chandler McDaniel, Olivia McDaniel, Jaclyn Sawicki, Jessika Cowart, Sofia Wunsch, Sara Eggesvik, Angela Beard, Isabella Pasion, Malea Cesar, Anicka Castañeda, Kaya Hawkinson, Carleigh Frilles, and Katrina Guillou—players who helped engineer the country’s breakthrough World Cup appearance and now carry the responsibility of sustaining that momentum.

     

    Joining them is a fresh generation led by former Philippines U-17 captain Ari Markey alongside Alexa Pino, Leah Bradley, Nina Meollo, Janae DeFazio, Jourdyn Curran, Natalie Oca, Ava Villapando, Alessandrea Carpio, Paige McSwigan, Jael Marie Guy, and Mallie Ramirez. Their inclusion signals a long-term vision as the program continues its rapid development in Asian football.

     

    Preparation for the tournament has been deliberate and intensive. The Filipinas opened camp in Manila with a 32-player pool before moving to Balesin Island for a closed-door training block focused on chemistry, tactical structure, and match conditioning. The final phase of camp wrapped up back in Manila before the team’s departure for Perth.

     

    Head coach Mark Torcaso emphasized readiness and growth as the guiding themes of the buildup.

     

    “We’re really focused on making sure that we leave here ready to compete in the Asian Cup,” said Torcaso.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

    The opener against Australia carries added significance after their previous meeting ended in a heavy defeat during Olympic qualifiers—an experience Torcaso believes ultimately strengthened the squad.

     

    “From my personal perspective, there’s a lot of learnings since we played Australia last time. It was only our second or third game in charge after the Asian Games campaign, so it was very overwhelming in that first tournament that we had,” added Torcaso.

     

    “In the two and a half years that we’ve been in the role, not only me but the staff, I think we’ve learned so much about this team, about the country, about the people, that we’re ready to take on anyone and we’ll do our absolute best.”

     

    The challenge will only intensify in the group stage, where the Filipinas are also set to face continental powerhouses South Korea women’s national football team and Iran women’s national football team. Only the top two teams from each group, plus the two best third-place finishers, advance to the knockout rounds—with six direct World Cup slots at stake.

     

    PFF president John Gutierrez expressed confidence that the squad’s blend of maturity and hunger gives the Filipinas a strong chance to repeat their historic achievement.

     

    “The ladies are in their prime, the team is very strong, and they’re prepared,” said Gutierrez. “There’s no reason for us not to do well, but of course, in the Asian Cup, like the SEA Games, there are no easy games and no easy opponents. Everyone will give us a run for our money, and we will give everybody a run for theirs.”

     

    For the Filipinas, the mission is clear: prove that their first World Cup appearance was not a one-time breakthrough—but the beginning of a new era.

     

    Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

     📌 Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!   

  • “To another level higher”: Mark Torcaso lifts Filipinas’ intensity ahead of AFC Cup

    “To another level higher”: Mark Torcaso lifts Filipinas’ intensity ahead of AFC Cup

    The Philippine women’s national football team, popularly known as the Filipinas, is preparing for its next major international challenge—the prestigious Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Asian Cup in Perth, Australia. Coming off a historic campaign at the Southeast Asian Games, where the team captured widespread attention for its skill, resilience, and tactical discipline, the Filipinas are eager to build on that momentum and further establish themselves as a competitive force on the continental stage.

     

    The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has confirmed that the team will undertake a three-week training program, designed to refine their tactical cohesion, enhance fitness levels, and test themselves against high-quality opposition. The training will span multiple venues, starting with sessions at the Mall of Asia Sky Pitch in Manila from February 1 to 5, followed by the Rizal Memorial Stadium from February 17 to 22. In between, the squad will conduct a closed camp at Balesin Island in Quezon from February 6 to 15. Balesin boasts a FIFA-certified pitch and world-class facilities, providing an ideal environment for high-level preparation and recovery.

     

    During their time in Manila and Balesin, the Filipinas will face a combination of international competition and professional club sides, giving the coaching staff opportunities to test tactical variations and evaluate players under match-like conditions. This approach is aimed at ensuring the squad arrives in Australia fully prepared, both mentally and physically, for the rigors of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

     

    OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

     

    Head coach Mark Torcaso expressed optimism about the team’s preparation and highlighted the importance of raising standards after the SEA Games. He recently announced a 26-woman training pool, which includes seasoned veterans such as Hali Long, Sara Eggesvik, and Olivia McDaniel, alongside promising young talents eager to make an impact.

    “The players understand that we are obviously going to a competition that is much tougher than the SEA Games. So now it’s about lifting our intensity, our quality, our fitness levels, our speed to be of another level higher than that and obviously to achieve the opportunity to go to another World Cup,” Torcaso said in a media interaction.

     

    However, the Filipinas will be without the country’s all-time highest goalscorer, Sarina Bolden, in the training pool for now. Bolden is currently recovering from an injury, and while she has made significant progress, the coaching staff is taking a cautious approach to ensure she has enough time to regain full fitness.

     

    “We are going to give her every single chance to be part of it. We aim to get her on the field. She’s got a very special presence in our team all the time,” Torcaso added.

     

    The rigorous training program is designed to balance intensity with recovery, ensuring that the players remain sharp while avoiding burnout. With world-class facilities at Balesin Island and careful management of workloads, the Filipinas will have the perfect environment to prepare for one of Asia’s most competitive tournaments.

     

    After completing their camps in Manila and Balesin, the team will fly to Perth, Australia, where they will compete against some of the continent’s top national teams in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. The tournament represents both a test and an opportunity: a chance to measure themselves against Asia’s elite and to further stake the Philippines’ claim as an emerging football nation in the region.

     

    With the combination of experienced leaders, rising stars, and a structured preparation plan, the Filipinas are determined to build on their SEA Games success and make a strong showing at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. Fans and supporters will be watching closely as the team embarks on this next chapter in its journey, aiming to inspire a new generation of footballers across the country.

     

     

    👉 Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

    📌 Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and join the community of passionate sports fans.