MANILA – FIFA and Philippine Football Federation (PFF) consider the 4th quarter of next year for the opening of the inaugural edition of the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup in the Philippines.

John Gutierrez, President of PFF, said they are considering October or November of 2025 as the starting date of the tournament.

“We’re looking at dates as early as August but for more time for preparation and also we would like to consider the weather in the country, we’re looking at October and even possibly late November. So the more time we have to prepare,” Gutierrez said.

Gutierrez said the federation is honored to be entrusted to host the first-ever tournament of that category, noting that they are already working with FIFA to produce a better tournament.

“We are very very thankful to FIFA for entrusting us with this very momentous event,” he said.

He revealed that they went through a bidding process where they submitted proposals and a program development plan to host the tournament, saying the proposal was “good enough” to be chosen among the 6 bidding counties.

Jaime Yarza, Director for FIFA Tournaments, said the PFF and the government’s efforts to promote the football and futsal has been the key element of giving the hosting rights to the Philippines.

“Among them the biggest powerhouse in futsal and women’s futsal like Brazil, Spain, Italy, were also keenly interested in hosting this tournament. Among these bidders, obviously the Philippines was one of the top contenders and is because of the development of football in the country,” Yarza said.

“This success and good work really need to be rewarded in some way by us and that’s I’m sure one of the reasons why the council granted this tournament to [be held in] the Philippines,” he added.

The format will have 16 teams from all over the world, which will be drawn into four teams.

“Their final (format) will be decided but there is a standard. We will have 4 groups of 4 teams and follow that by quarter finals, semi finals, and finals,” Yarza said.

In terms of the venues where the tournament will take place, Yarza said it is still under discussion as there are various considerations, but one will be in Metro Manila.

“It’s part of our constant promotion of the country. We would like to go to at least another City in the country,” he said.

PFF will choose futsal players who will compete for the country’s national team. Gutierrez said they’re planning to start a camp as early as August.

“We will start in a few weeks scouring the entire country for the talent that we’re going to need to create the national team,” he said.