Filipina5 out to challenge Poland in 2025 FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup debut

Photo: PFF

The Philippine women’s national futsal team opens its 2025 FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup campaign against one of Europe’s elite sides.

World no. 63 Filipina5 face a formidable challenge when they battle 14th-ranked Poland at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Friday, November 21. This will be their first-ever meeting in any competition.

Heavy underdogs in Group A as the lowest-ranked team, the Filipina booters will look to defy the odds in front of their home crowd. They are also bracketed with world No. 6 Argentina and No. 31 Morocco.

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“I know our home crowd will bring the energy and fight with us until the very end,” said Isabella Flanigan in a report by FIFA. “Poland is a very strong team and, as always, it is an honor to be able to share the court with such amazing female athletes.”

Flanigan, along with Jaclyn Sawicki and Katrina Guillou, will spearhead the hosts’ 14-woman roster. The trio carry the hope of replicating the magic they and their Filipinas teammates created in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup — where they stunned New Zealand and captured the nation’s heart.

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“Our mentality of puso, tiwala, and sama-sama will be what’s leading us into the match. We are excited for the challenge and excited to show what we can do on the world stage,” added Flanigan, who plays as a winger.

The Filipina5 spent the past two months abroad for intensive training camps in preparation for their maiden World Cup appearance, highlighted by friendly matches against powerhouses Spain and Japan.

Poland, meanwhile, aim to make a strong impression as one of the 16 nations competing in the inaugural FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup.

“We’ve all been waiting for this moment, and I can’t wait for us to step onto the court and represent Poland. We’ve prepared very well and worked hard to achieve the best possible result here, and we will definitely give everything we’ve got,” said winger Aga Bala.

The Poles booked their World Cup berth after finishing runner-up in Group B of the European qualifiers behind Spain.