Women’s World Cup 2023: Everything you need to know about Philippines

Philippines World Cup 2023 fixtures, betting odds and statistics

You can read all about Switzerland, New Zealand and Norway by clicking on their names here.

How did Philippines qualify?

Philippines qualified via the 2022 Asia Cup. They finished second in their group, below Australia but above Thailand and Indonesia, beat Chinese Taipei in the quarter-finals on penalties before losing to Korea Republic in the semis. The tournament’s four semi-finalists all qualified for the World Cup.

Philippines’ major tournament record

World Cup

Best World Cup result: This’ll be their debut.

AFC Asia Cup

Best AFC Asia Cup result: Semi-finals - 2022.

Philippines at World Cup 2023

As a result of the expanded format, there are eight debutants at this summer’s women’s World Cup, one of which are the Philippines.

The Filipinas, against the odds, qualified for this competition via the Asia Cup, causing a bit of an upset when they dumped out Chinese Taipei in the quarter-finals, prevailing via a penalty shootout in Pune.

Before this shock run to the semi-finals in India last year, Philippines had only ever four of 32 Asia Cup matches, but will now be representing their continent on the world stage.

So just how competitive will Alen Stajcic’s team be?

Well, in February’s Pinatar Cup, a friendly tournament in Spain, they lost all three matches, beaten by Wales, Scotland and Iceland, all of whom failed to qualify for this World Cup via UEFA.

Thus, in a very tough Group A, alongside co-hosts New Zealand, Norway and Switzerland, the Philippines are unfortunately, one of the leading contenders, across all groups, to head home without a point to their name.

Philippines team news

Inna Palacios, Isabella Pasion and Maya Alcantara were all cut by manager Alen Stajcic when the final 23-player roster was announced on Sunday 9 July.

Philippines′ key player: Sofia Harrison

This team’s key defender is American-born left-back Sofia Harrison, who’s accumulated 34 caps since her debut in 2018.

Harrison spent last season with Werder Bremen although, after seeing limited game time in Germany, will leave the Frauen-Bundesliga club.

At the 2022 Asia Cup, she started four of five matches, a key part of the Philippines team that got to the semi-finals, an achievement that means they’ll be competing at the World Cup.

As a free agent, Harrison will be hoping to impress potential future employers this summer.

Philippines′ key player: Quinley Quezada

Can Quinley Quezada further improve her excellent goal-scoring record, having already netted 22 times in just 48 appearances for the Philippines to date?

The 26 year old broke the deadlock in the crucial Asia Cup quarter-final victory over Chinese Taipei last year, before netting in emphatic victories over both Tajikistan and Hong Kong in Olympic qualifiers earlier in 2023.

At club level, she spent the most-recent season with Eastern European giants Crvena zvezda, helping Red Star Belgrade came second in the Serbian SuperLiga, their joint-highest finish of all-time.

Like Harrison, Quezada was born, raised and educated in the United States, but will proudly represent the Philippines at this World Cup.

Philippines′ key player: Sarina Bolden

If the Philippines are going to score a goal at this tournament, Sarina Bolden is likely to be responsible for it.

Also born in California, she represented the U.S. at youth level, before switching allegiance to the Philippines ahead of the 2018 Asia Cup.

On debut, she scored the winning goal against hosts Jordan at that tournament, as her side bowed out in the group stages.

Four years later, Bolden converted the winning penalty as Philippines defeated Chinese Taipei, the kick that saw her country qualify for this tournament.

At club level, the 26 year old striker is currently with Western Sydney Wanderers in A-League Women, netting just once in ten appearances for them, this coming against Western United way back in January.

Nevertheless, she remains pivotal for here national team, hoping to score Philippines’ first-ever World Cup goal.

Philippines′ possible starting line-up for World Cup 2023

Philippines′ full squad for World Cup 2023

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Forwards

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Group A table