“We want to get out of the group”: Mark Torcaso sets Filipinas’ 2027 World Cup goal

History is no longer just a one-time achievement for the Philippines women’s national football team—it’s quickly becoming a benchmark.

In a high-stakes showdown, the Filipinas showcased their composure and tactical discipline, securing a 2-0 victory over the Uzbekistan women’s national football team in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup play-in. With that decisive win, they officially punched their ticket to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in Brazil, marking another historic milestone for Philippine football.

The triumph cements the Filipinas’ growing reputation as a rising force in women’s football, building on their groundbreaking debut at the 2023 World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. While that tournament brought the country’s first-ever World Cup victory against the co-hosts, the team fell short of advancing to the knockout stages. This time, the stakes are higher, and the goal is clear: progress beyond the group stage and prove that the Philippines is more than a debutant at the global level.

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Head coach Mark Torcaso acknowledged that while the euphoria of qualification is still settling in, preparations for the next challenge will begin immediately. With the Philippines representing Southeast Asia as the sole qualifier for the tournament, meticulous planning and strategy will be crucial.

BRASIL 2027 Here we come! 🇵🇭 🇧🇷
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Couldn’t be prouder of these incredible girls and our staff led by Mark Torcaso + all of our beloved support staff. Everyone working tirelessly toward one goal, rewarded with a 2nd huge success in a short space of time. Football, bloody hell! pic.twitter.com/eJJIT9fvHS

— Ric Marchioli (@RicMarchioli) March 22, 2026

“It hasn’t hit us yet. We are just really grateful that we have got a number of players that have experienced the World Cup before. We will start planning in the next couple of days what the preparation looks like,” Torcaso said in a media interaction, highlighting the importance of balancing experience with strategic development.

The 44-year-old coach is determined to ensure that the team’s ambitions go beyond mere participation. For Torcaso, advancing from the group stage is non-negotiable, and he wants the Filipinas to compete with both confidence and purpose on football’s biggest stage.

“It would be naive for me to say that we are happy with 23, 27, or 30 players. We want to go to the next World Cup and not just secure a win—we want to get out of the group,” Torcaso emphasized. His statement reflects a bold vision for the team, signaling that the Filipinas are ready to build on past experience and raise their profile on the international scene.

With a core of seasoned players and a growing pipeline of emerging talent, the Philippines is now focused on turning historic qualification into a tangible competitive presence in Brazil. The journey from debutants to serious contenders will require rigorous preparation, tactical refinement, and mental resilience—but the Filipinas have already shown they are capable of rising to the occasion.

As the countdown to the 2027 World Cup begins, fans and analysts alike are watching closely. With Southeast Asia’s pride on the line, the Filipinas are poised to write the next chapter of Philippine women’s football history, aiming not just to participate but to leave a lasting mark on the global stage.

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