On January 31, 2022, the Philippine women's national football team secured a historic FIFA Women's World Cup qualification.
Three years ago, the Philippine women’s national football team accomplished what no other Philippine squad had ever done before—they qualified for the FIFA World Cup.
The road to history began in the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, where the Filipinas, then ranked 64th in the world, defied expectations with a breakthrough campaign in India.
Group stage battles
Drawn into Group B, the Filipinas opened their campaign with a gritty 1-0 victory over Thailand, their first-ever win against the regional powerhouse. Chandler McDaniel’s late goal in the 81st minute sealed the historic win and set the tone for their tournament run.
Next, the Philippines faced Australia, a team ranked in the world’s top 15 and considered one of the favorites in the competition. Despite holding the Matildas scoreless in the first half, the Filipinas eventually fell 0-4, but their resilience and defensive effort earned praise.
In their final group stage match, the Filipinas secured a crucial 6-0 rout over Indonesia, with Sarina Bolden, Katrina Guillou, Eva Madarang, and Malea Cesar all finding the back of the net.
The dominant victory ensured their spot in the quarterfinals, marking the first time the team had advanced past the group stage in the Asian Cup.
The match that changed Philippine Football
Facing Chinese Taipei in the quarterfinals, the Filipinas knew what was at stake: a win would send them to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Looking back, the match was indeed a tense affair.
Quinley Quezada put the Filipinas ahead in the 49th minute, but Chinese Taipei quickly responded with a stunning equalizer in the 83rd minute, forcing the game into extra time.
With both teams unable to break the deadlock, the match went to a penalty shootout, a high-pressure situation where the Filipinas had never thrived before. But this time, history was on their side.
Goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel came up with two crucial saves, while her sister, Chandler McDaniel, and Tahnai Annis converted their penalties.
Then, Sarina Bolden stepped up and calmly delivered the winning penalty, securing a 4-3 shootout victory and clinching the Filipinas’ first-ever FIFA World Cup berth.
The triumph sent shockwaves through Philippine sports in the early hours of January 31, marking a turning point for women’s football in the country.
Beyond the World Cup Qualification
Following their World Cup-clinching win, the Filipinas went on to face South Korea in the semifinals, where they fell 0-2, bowing out of the tournament but leaving with their heads held high.
Their journey in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup was another milestone, with the team making headlines after securing their first-ever World Cup win against co-host New Zealand in front of a roaring Wellington crowd.
What’s Next for the Filipinas?
Now, in 2025, the Filipinas are set to begin another chapter.
Later this month, they will regroup for a nine-day training camp in preparation for a packed schedule of international tournaments, including the ASEAN Women's Championship, the FIFA Asian Cup Qualifiers, and the Southeast Asian Games.
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With a mix of experienced veterans and rising talents, the Filipinas are determined to build on their past successes and continue proving that Philippine women’s football belongs on the world stage.