(2nd UPDATE) Alen Stajcic on Sunday named the 23 players who will represent the Philippines in the FIFA Women's World Cup later this month in New Zealand.

Veterans Hali Long and Tahnai Annis are set to lead the squad when the Philippines make its first ever appearance in the global sporting showcase. Also making the team is Filipina-Australian defender Angela Beard, who will make her debut for the Philippines in the World Cup.

"In a positive way, we’ve got such a pool of players that made the final 23 (selection) even more difficult than I thought it would be. It was such an extremely tough choice," Stajcic said.

"But these players were ultimately the ones who put their hands up and impressed the most in recent times and based on current form," the coach added. "They are the ones that my coaching staff and myself think will represent the Filipinas the best and gives us the best possible chance to perform at our peak in the World Cup."

The complete roster is as follows:

Goalkeepers:

• Kiara Fontanilla
• Kaiya Jota
• Olivia McDaniel

Defenders:

• Alicia Barker
• Angela Beard
• Reina Bonta
• Malea Cesar
• Jessika Cowart
• Sofia Harrison
• Hali Long
• Dominique Randle

Midfielders:

• Tahnai Annis
• Ryley Bugay
• Anicka Castañeda
• Sara Eggesvik
• Quinley Quezada
• Jaclyn Sawicki

Forwards:

• Sarina Bolden
• Isabella Flanigan
• Carleigh Frilles
• Katrina Guillou
• Chandler McDaniel
• Meryll Serrano

Inna Palacios, Maya Alcantara, Isabella Pasion were named as reserves.

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The announcement was made after the Filipinas wrapped up a four-week training camp in Sydney, Australia. They will fly to New Zealand on Monday morning to continue their final preparations, including a friendly with European powerhouse Sweden.

The Filipinas will hold their team base camp in Auckland during the tournament.

"We congratulate the 23 players who were selected for the Philippines in the FIFA Women's World Cup and express our gratitude to the players who have committed and sacrificed to make themselves available throughout the selection process," PFF president Mariano "Nonong" Araneta said.

"This group of 23 represents the best of us, the best of the indomitable Filipino spirit, and I am excited to see them make all of us even prouder," said team manager Jefferson Cheng.

The Filipinas are in Group A of the FIFA Women's World Cup along with co-host New Zealand, Switzerland, and Norway.

They will play their first match against Switzerland on July 21 in Dunedin, New Zealand. They then face host New Zealand on July 25 in Wellington, before traveling back to Auckland for the duel with Norway on July 30 to wrap up the group stage.

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