Young blood and steady veterans fuel Filipinas’ rise

Fresh off a historic campaign at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, where they dethroned Vietnam to claim their first gold, the national women’s team is now preparing for one of their toughest challenges yet. 

They will compete in the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Perth, Australia, where only the semifinalists earn a chance to advance to the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The 26-woman roster signals a commitment to a generational bridge. Veterans such as Jackie Sawicki, Hali Long, Olivia McDaniel, and Sophia Harrison-Wunsch provide the World Cup-level insight necessary to navigate high-pressure games, offering stability to a squad still defining its international identity.

But it’s the next-generation talent that’s making waves on the field. Jael Marie-Guy (18), Alexa Pino (18), Mallie Ramirez (21), and Bella Pasion (19) represent the next wave of Filipinas talent.  Players who already showcased their potential at the SEA Games and now have a platform to challenge continental heavyweights.

Australia, as hosts, stand as the immediate challenge with South Korea and Iran rounding out a tough game. 

Yet, the Filipinas approach these matches not as daunting trials, but as opportunities to cement their rise on the global stage.

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Filipinas Women’s National Football Team standouts Alexa Pino, Mallie Ramirez, and Jael-Marie Guy share their excitement for the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup, where a World Cup berth is at stake.

Video courtesy of Rogelio Nicolas III/Abante Sports. pic.twitter.com/SLXYLumJ3f

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Fresh energy combined with the experience of veterans creates a delicate balance, one that could define the team’s trajectory for years to come. 

The team’s composition reflects not just readiness for the World Cup but a strategic investment in the future, ensuring continuity while chasing immediate goals.

From the youthful exuberance that disrupted the SEA Games to the seasoned leadership that tempers decision-making under pressure, the Filipinas are presenting a new blueprint for success as one where experience guides energy, and history fuels ambition.

Their journey kicks off on March 1 against host nation Australia, followed by matches with South Korea on March 5 and Iran on March 8. 

For the Filipinas, each game is more than a step toward Brazil, it’s a proving ground for the next era of women’s football in the Philippines.

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