by Kevin Estrada

MANILA — The Philippines seeks to impress the world ahead of the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup that will kick off on Friday.

With the entire futsal world having its eyes set on the country, it was no less than Philippine Football Federation president John Gutierrez who said that they are leaving nothing to chance and they are pulling out all the stops ahead of the opening day on Friday, November 21, 2025.

“We’re privileged to have the opportunity to host a quadrennial FIFA event, and we’re hoping to get everybody’s support and everyone to enjoy the games starting this Friday,” he declared at the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum, Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial.

Joining him in the session was former national team player Isabella Fernando, the FFWWC Local Organizing Committee’s head for government relations.

Fernando said, “This (FFWWC) is more than just the teams and players. This is the effort of our fellow Filipinos working together to put up world-class events.”

PhilSports Arena, the sole competition venue, is nearly ready for the 16 teams and 32 matches to be played up until the Final on December 7.

“It [the PhilSports Arena] is 95% ready,” Gutierrez later said. He added that the five training sites are already being used by teams.

Among the training sites is Antipolo’s Ynares Center, which fans thought had the potential of being a secondary playing venue. Instead Victorias, Negros Occidental, was chosen but was eventually dropped by the organizers last September.

“However, there are certain parameters that FIFA require for it to be an eligible match venue, and it [Ynares] fell a little short,” Gutierrez explained.

Gutierrez also announced at the PSA Forum that FIFA President Gianni Infantino will be present at the opening ceremonies, before the Filipina5 take on Poland to open their homestand.

* * *