Alex Carpio draws strength from global Filipino support as Filipinas eye World Cup return

For the Philippine women’s national football team, the road to the FIFA Women’s World Cup has not just been defined by results—it has been shaped by a presence that follows them wherever they go.

From Southeast Asia to Australia, and soon to Brazil, the Filipinas are discovering that their strongest advantage may not always be visible on the pitch. It is in the unwavering support of Filipinos across the globe.

After securing a second consecutive World Cup berth with a crucial play-in victory over Uzbekistan in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia, the team once again felt that familiar surge—not just of relief, but of connection to a fanbase that stretches far beyond home soil.

Midfielder Alessandrea “Alex” Carpio sees that connection as something bigger than football.

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to see just how global the fanbase is for the Philippines,” she said.

That global backing proved vital during a challenging Asian Cup campaign, where results did not always go their way. Yet even in difficult moments, the team never felt isolated.

“In the Asian Cup, we faced a lot of strong opposition … and we weren’t able to get the results that we might have wanted,” the US-raised standout said. 

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.

Filipinas midfielder Alex Carpio shares her team’s resilience through tough losses in their collective effort as they secured back-to-back FIFA Women’s World Cup berth in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. | via LJ Abadinas/One Sports#OSOnTheSpot #LabanFilipinas #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/Bn9C63FjCC

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) March 24, 2026

“We had a few losses and the unconditional support and love from the Filipino community uplifted our spirits. And we were able to move on and focus on the next games, just because no matter the result, the Filipinos were very supportive of us. They say, ‘We’re so proud of you. We’ll be supporting you in the next games,” she added. 

That kind of support has become a constant, no matter the tournament or location. Whether in Vietnam for the AFF competition or in Thailand for the Southeast Asian Games, the Filipinas have repeatedly found themselves at awe by crowds that feel like home.

Carpio recalled that during those regional tournaments, the presence of Filipino fans often rivaled that of host nations, turning away venues into something far more familiar.

“We were in Chonburi, I believe. And … we still had such a big showing of Filipinos. I think it was the Thailand game, [where we] had about as many Filipino supporters as there were Thailand supporters,” she said.

Now, with Brazil set to host the next World Cup, the Filipinas are preparing for another leap competitively. Football’s most passionate stage awaits, but so too does the possibility of yet another powerful display of Filipino pride abroad.

As one of six Asian representatives alongside regional powerhouses, the Philippines enters the tournament with history already made and higher expectations ahead. 

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!