No room for errors for the Philippine men's national football team as they look to keep their 2026 FIFA World Cup hopes alive.
The goal is simple for the Philippine men’s national football team if they want to keep their 2026 FIFA World Cup dreams alive—win.
However, the Philippines will need to overcome both Vietnam and Indonesia to bridge the narrow gap and advance to the third qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup.
In the second qualifying round, the Philippines is currently at the bottom of Group F with just a single point. They are two points behind Vietnam and six points behind Indonesia.
The Philippines is also coming off a 5-0 defeat against Iraq at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
To progress, the Philippines must secure a victory and rely on Indonesia losing both of their upcoming matches.
The Philippines, however, has faced setbacks against Vietnam in recent encounters, losing its last five games. Its last victory over Vietnam was in the 2012 AFF Cup group stage.
Similarly, the Philippines has struggled against Indonesia, managing only one victory, which occurred during the 2014 AFF Cup group stage. Subsequently, the team has suffered one loss and secured three draws in four meetings with Indonesia.
For the current roster, the Philippines has called up 28 players, 22 of whom are from abroad.
Newly-appointed head coach Tom Saintfiet has shown a preference for young and promising talents.
Among the new additions to the squad are defender Adrian Ugelvik, who plays in the Norwegian First Division for Levanger, midfielder Zico Bailey, who plays in the MLS for New Mexico United, and striker Dylan Demuynck, who plays in the Belgian Pro League for Zulte Waregem.
Only five veterans have been retained among the selected players, including goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, defender Amani Aguinaldo, midfielder Kevin Ingreso, and strikers OJ Porteria and Patrick Reichelt.
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The Philippines will take on hosts Vietnam on Thursday, followed by a match against Indonesia next Tuesday.