2023 World Cup
Qualification
The Philippines qualified for their very first FIFA Women's World Cup via their 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup semifinal finish. This is the first time the country qualified for a FIFA World Cup of any gender or age level. [2] Their Asian Cup campaign was led by Australian tactician Alen Stajcic who was appointed as head coach in October 2021. [3] [4] They secured their place in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup when they beat Chinese Taipei in the quarterfinals on penalties following a 1–1 draw. [5] They end their campaign with a 0–2 defeat to South Korea in the semifinal. [6]
Preparations
Since their qualification for the World Cup through the Women's Asian Cup, the Philippines went on to win the 2022 AFF Women's Championship title at home – their first major title. [7]
The national team also held training camps in Costa Rica [8] and Chile in late 2022. [9] They also took part in the 2023 Pinatar Cup in Spain. [10] They also had additional matches playing in the 2023 SEA Games [11] and the first round of the 2024 Summer Olympics Asian qualifiers. [12]
In New Zealand shortly prior to their debut in the World Cup, the Philippines played an unofficial friendly against Sweden [13] and a scrimmage against the United States. [14]
Group stage
For the 2023 World Cup group stage, the Philippines were drawn to play against co-host New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland. [15] Among these national teams, the Philippines has only faced New Zealand in an international match recently, a 1–2 loss on September 7, 2022. [16] [17] [18]
Group A
 | ||
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Switzerland | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 5 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 |  Norway | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 4 | |
| 3 |  New Zealand (H) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | |
| 4 |  Philippines | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 8 | −7 | 3 |
The Philippines played its first ever World Cup match against Switzerland. Katrina Guillou appeared to score the Philippines' first ever goal on the 16th minute but was disallowed after it was ruled to be offside. [19] Shortly before halftime ended, Switzerland was awarded a controversial penalty after Jessika Cowart committed an apparent foul on Coumba Sow while attempting to clear the ball. A VAR review was called, and the Swiss were given a penalty which was converted to a goal by Ramona Bachmann. [20] [21] [22] The game eventually ended in a 0–2 defeat. [19]
The next game is against co-host New Zealand which was coming from a shock win against Norway. [23] [24] The Philippines secured their first ever World Cup win through a solitary goal by Sarina Bolden in the 24th minute, which is also the very first goal by the Philippines in the tournament. New Zealand's best chance to equalize was when Jacqui Hand shot the ball into the goal from Hannah Wilkinson's cross in the 68th minute. However the goal was determined to be offside. [25]
The Philippines last group stage match is against Norway. With Norway drawing their second match against Switzerland. All four teams are still in contention to advance to the Round of 16. An unexpected win against Norway would assure the Philippines to advance. [26] [27] However the Philippines lost big to Norway, conceding six goals effectively ending their campaign. [28]
| Norway | 6–0 | Philippines |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
