THE Philippines’ hosting of the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup raises its profile today with a glimpse of the prestigious championship trophy and official draw of the global women’s futsal showcase at the Globe Theater in Taguig.
“The design (of the trophy) embodies the essence of futsal and its presentation marks a historic milestone for the women’s game worldwide,” an official statement of the International Football Federation, known by its French acronym FIFA, said.
“Designed in-house by FIFA, this prestigious prize encapsulates the energy, precision and creativity of the women’s game,” the world football body noted.
“A beacon of excellence, it is sure to inspire players and fans alike ahead of the inaugural tournament in the Philippines later this year.”
Among its distinct features are “two converging bars in gold and silver, symbolizing unity and competition, on a stylized futsal pitch. The curves echo the dynamic flow of the game, underscoring the technical finesse, ball control and teamwork that define elite futsal.”
The 1st FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup title trophy will be prominently displayed during the draw ceremony attended by top officials of FIFA and the hosting Philippine Football Federation, led by president John Gutierrez.
A total of 16 squads from all over the world, including the Philippines, will vie in the international futsal sports spectacle for women, including Iran, whose squad will make its FIFA women’s competition debut.
African qualifier Tanzania will also be setting a milestone with its maiden appearance in a senior FIFA tournament.
Except for the host country, the other 15 participating nations have been divided into the four draw pots based on their FIFA women’s world ranking from highest to lowest.
