THE Philippines will host the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup from Nov. 21 to Dec. 7, 2025, International Football Federation president Giovanni Infantino announced last Saturday.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I am delighted to announce that the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup in the Philippines has been confirmed with the opening matches taking place on the 21st of November with the 16 participating teams competing for a place in the finals 7th of December 2025,” Infantino said in a 30-second videotape sent to Malaya-Business Insight.
“Congratulations Philippines,” added the Italian chief of the world football body after the announcement of the specific dates of the competition that was awarded to the Philippine Football Federation led by John Gutierrez during the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok, Thailand last May.
Gutierez said they had already identified a site In Iloilo and the Philsports Arena in Pasig City as the initial venues of the maiden edition of the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup and are still looking for other potential sites.
“We took a look at some of the potential venues in Cebu but none could come up to the FIFA standards, so we are looking for others,” said Gutierrez during a press conference held last week.
He added the country will host the AFF Women’s Futsal Championship next month with the aim of hyping next year’s big tournament and as part of the PFF’s efforts to groom the national women’s team under Dutch coach Victor Hermans for the challenges that lie ahead.
With the Philippines ensured of a spot in the meet, two other Asian countries will vie for the remaining slots for the continent in the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup scheduled from May 7 to 18 next year in China.
Qualifying tournaments will be held in Africa, with two slots up for grabs, Central America and the Caribbean (two), South America (three) and Europe (four) contesting 12 other slots, with New Zealand booking a ticket for having topped the Oceania meet.
A reliable PFF source said hosting the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup would cost around P800 million, so the local body is now looking for sponsors and supporters, including the Philippine Sports Commission, to help bankroll the project.