Filipina5 players raise concerns amid Futsal World Cup praise 

The Philippines earned glowing international recognition for staging the inaugural FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup, an event that brought together teams from 15 nations and culminated in Brazil’s title victory over Portugal. 

FIFA officials praised the country’s professionalism and preparedness, capping a tournament that drew admiration from visiting delegations and even the personal presence of FIFA president Gianni Infantino at the opening ceremonies. On the surface, it was a landmark moment for Philippine football — a statement that the country could deliver on the world stage.

Yet beneath the polished presentation and international applause, a very different story emerged from within the host nation’s own camp. 

Members of the Filipina5 — the Philippine women’s futsal team — described a pre-tournament experience marked by what they said was neglect and poor planning from local football authorities. 

Instead of basking in the pride of a historic World Cup debut, some players recounted struggling with basic needs while preparing to represent the country.

Sources familiar with the situation told SPIN.ph that the team was initially housed in accommodations described as substandard, with “unfurnished living spaces lacking in basic necessities such as sufficient drinking water and kitchen equipment.” One source added that the conditions may have contributed to players falling ill.

OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

HISTORY FOR THE PHILIPPINES

Inday Tolentin makes history for the Filipina5 after scoring the country’s first ever goal against Morocco in the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup Philippines 2025. #Filipina5 #FutsalWWC pic.twitter.com/V7MoNvnMoM

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) November 24, 2025

“The accommodation didn’t have pots and pans or sufficient drinking water for the athletes,” a source said. When concerns were raised, players were reportedly told to coordinate directly with condominium management, with little federation oversight. In some cases, players allegedly paid out of pocket to find alternative housing.

The difficulties extended beyond lodging. Players reportedly faced logistical and medical challenges, including the absence of regular shuttle services and instances where athletes had to walk in the rain to reach medical facilities.

In one particularly alarming case, a player nearly fainted from hunger after fasting for hours while waiting for a blood test.

Sources also said the team lacked a strength and conditioning coach until just a month before the tournament and had no nutritionist throughout preparations. As a result, players often relied on food delivery apps for meals — a far cry from the structured nutritional support expected at a World Cup level.

These accounts stood in sharp contrast to the federation’s public portrayal of the tournament, which was heavily backed by FIFA funding and supported by a multimillion-peso allocation from the Philippine Sports Commission, including renovations that transformed PhilSports Arena into a futsal venue. FIFA, according to sources, covered airfare, accommodation, and meals for participating teams and officials during the November 21 to December 7 event — underscoring the global body’s commitment to growing women’s futsal.

Despite this, some Filipina5 players felt overlooked in their own backyard. They believed the issues they encountered reflected deeper organizational gaps that clashed with public commitments to athlete welfare and women’s sports development.

SPIN.ph reached out to Filipina5 team manager Vince Santos for comment but received no response as of publication. A representative of the Philippine Football Federation, speaking on Santos’ behalf, said that no such complaints were officially relayed to the association — a claim disputed by sources who insisted that concerns were communicated to Santos and other senior officials.

As the dust settles on a tournament widely hailed as a success, the contrasting narratives raise difficult questions: how a World Cup celebrated globally could leave some of its host nation’s own players feeling unheard, and whether future milestones will better align international prestige with genuine athlete care at home.

Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

  Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!