FIFA Forward has committed USD 5.8 million in funding while FIFA Football for Schools, FIFA Talent Development Scheme and FIFA Arena have all been implemented in the Southeast Asian country
Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President John Gutierrez said his organisation is “deeply grateful” for FIFA’s support in growing football and futsal as collaboration continues
Philippines staged the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup 2025™, its first FIFA tournament as hosts
FIFA’s numerous development programmes have been “instrumental” in shaping a brighter future for football and futsal in the Philippines, Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President John Gutierrez has said.
The Philippines hosted its first FIFA tournament with the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup™ in 2025 after the FIFA Forward development programme had contributed to the renovation of facilities used by participating teams and laid the groundwork for significant tournament legacy.
The majority of the USD 5.8 million in funding committed so far to the Philippines across FIFA Forward’s three phases has supported the construction of a new PFF headquarters, providing Mr Gutierrez’s organisation with a fit-for-purpose platform to implement their plan entitled “Walang Maiiwan!” - No one will be left behind.
“FIFA’s Forward Programme has been instrumental in building a stronger and more sustainable football ecosystem in the Philippines,” said Mr Gutierrez. “It has steadfastly provided opportunities for young Filipinos to learn the sport, consistently participate in football and be discovered for national team pool.
“The program has also enabled us to consistently provide courses for our referees and coaches, conduct clinics for our grassroots and competitions for our youth, and bringing the game into schools through FIFA Football for Schools.”
Following the implementation of both the FIFA Football for Schools initiative and the FIFA Talent Development Scheme in 2023, FIFA Arena established its first mini-pitch in the country in 2026 to reinforce the flourishing grassroots environment and the construction of a second mini-pitch has already been completed.
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Grassroots participation is also the central focus of the PFF’s plans to develop five half-size artificial pitches across the Mindanao region. It is seeking USD 1.18 million in FIFA Forward 3.0 funding to install these pitches and expand safe, year-round football access to underserved provincial areas, especially among youngsters aged 3-14.
Those initiatives feed into the domestic football scene, which was enhanced by the creation of a national league for women and also a domestic championship for U-15 boys in 2018, both funded by FIFA Forward.
With capacity-building courses for coaches, referees and goalkeepers also among the projects supported, the PFF President acknowledged the significant contribution FIFA has made to football and futsal in the sprawling Pacific Ocean archipelago.
“With our thrust of providing playing fields to all our regional football associations, we are also excited about FIFA Arenas and quality artificial pitches, which bring safe, accessible and meaningful spaces for football directly into communities,” added Mr Gutierrez.
“These are spaces where children can discover the game, where coaches can develop young players, and where communities can come together through football. FIFA’s support is helping us build the foundations for the next generation of Philippine football talents and with all these helps, PFF is deeply grateful.”