Veteran striker and World Cup goalscorer Sarina Bolden, along with midfielder Katrina Guillou, are notably absent from Team Philippines’ 26-woman roster.
Two of the Filipinas’ biggest stars won’t be suiting up, but the mission remains the same.
The Philippine women’s national football team will march into the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 Qualifiers without Sarina Bolden and Katrina Guillou—two of the key figures from their historic 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup run.
[ALSO READ: LOOKBACK: How the Filipinas made history with first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup berth]
Bolden, the country’s all-time leading scorer with 31 goals and the hero behind the Philippines’ historic World Cup winner against New Zealand, is notably absent—along with fellow mainstay Guillou, who owns 41 caps and 13 goals—from the 26-woman squad announced on Friday, June 20.
Bolden missed the Dubai camp last April and the friendly vs Chinese Taipei earlier this month as she rehabilitates from an injury.
The Filipinas will lean on a mix of veterans and fresh faces as they open Group G play on June 29 against Saudi Arabia in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
They will also face hosts Cambodia on July 2 and Hong Kong on July 5, with only the group winner advancing to the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
Mainstays Quinley Quezada and Meryll Serrano return to squad that still features several familiar names.
Among the returnees are goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel, defender Hali Long, midfielders Sara Eggesvik and Jaclyn Sawicki, and forward Carleigh Frilles.
[ALSO READ: Hali Long celebrates ‘bittersweet’ 90th cap in Filipinas loss to Chinese Taipei]
Joining them in the 26-player squad are goalkeepers Inna Palacios, Gabrielle Baker, and Nina Meollo; defenders Angela Beard, Malea Cesar, Rhea Chan, Jessika Cowart, Janae DeFazio, Katana Norman, and Sofia Wunsch.
The midfield group features Kaya Hawkinson, Charisa Lemoran, Bella Pasion, Alexa Pino, and Ava Villapando, while the attacking corps is rounded out by Nina Mathelus, Chandler McDaniel, Dionesa Tolentin, and Chayse Ying.
[ALSO READ: Filipinas stumble against Chinese Taipei in rare home friendly]