The Filipinas will lean on their veteran core as they attempt to qualify for another FIFA Women’s World Cup via the AFC Women’s Asian Cup this coming March.
The Philippine Women’s National Football Team announced their training camp roster as they attempt to nab a spot in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup via the AFC Women’s Asian Cup slated in Australia next month.
The Filipinas are bannered by skipper Hali Long and star goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel, with the Philippines looking to continue momentum after winning a historic gold medal during the 2025 SEA Games.
With former captain Inna Palacios now retired, more goalkeepers were called up by head coach Mark Torcaso to help fill the gaps, including former World Cup player Kiara Fontanilla.
McDaniel and Fontanilla will be joined by Gabrielle Baker, Leah Bradley, Isabelle Mapanao, and Nina Meollo.
Meanwhile, Long will be flanked by other World Cup players in Angie Beard, Jessika Cowart, and Sofia Wunsch. Also included among defenders are Malea Cesar, Janae Defazio, Ariana Markey, and Aisely Sia.
Midfielders include SEA Games revelation Alexa Pino, veterans Jaclyn Sawicki, Bella Pasion, Sara Eggesvik, and Anicka Castañeda.
Also joining the camp are Alessandrea Carpio, Jourdyn Curran, Kaya Hawkinson, Natalie Oca, Aaliyah Schinaman, and Ava Villapando.
After missing out on the SEA Games, Chandler McDaniel returns alongside Katrina Guillou, Carleigh Frilles, and Meryll Serrano to pace the forwards.
Rounding up the camp roster are Jael-Marie Guy, Paige Mcswigan, and Mary Louise Ramirez.
Torcaso will choose his final 26-woman roster for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup after their month-long training.
The Filipinas have already started in their training at the SM Mall of Asia Sky Pitch and the Rizal Memorial Stadium. They will also be training at Balesin Island in Quezon.
They then fly to Perth at the end of the month to wrap up final preparations there.
“This camp is an essential part of ensuring that the Filipinas enter the Asian Cup with the best possible preparation,” PFF President John Gutierrez said during a press conference with the Philippine Sports Commission last January 29.
“The players understand that we’re obviously going to a competition that is much tougher than the SEA Games. So now it’s about lifting our intensity, our quality, our fitness levels, our speed to be of another level higher than that and obviously to achieve the opportunity to go to another World Cup,” added Torcaso.
The Filipinas will open their campaign at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup against tournament hosts Australia on March 1 at Perth Stadium.
The team needs to qualify for the semifinals to clinch a spot in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.