The Philippine Women’s National Football Team’s preparations for the upcoming 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will see them head to Spain for the 2023 Pinatar Cup.
In an announcement this evening by the team and the Philippine Football Federation, the Filipinas are set to face Wales, Scotland, and Iceland from February 15 to 21, 2023 in Murcia, Spain.
“Competing in the Pinatar Cup is a great opportunity for the Filipinas to familiarize themselves with European teams ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup,” said PFF president Mariano Araneta, Jr.
“It’s definitely a big help to the team’s preparations for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.”
“We thank IAST Sports, led by its CEO David Vailing, for extending their invitation to the Philippine Women’s National Team in the Pinatar Cup,” said Atty. Ed Gastanes. “It will be exciting to see our Filipinas play against strong teams from Europe.”
Coach Alen Stajcic has reiterated his wish in the past that the Filipinas will face teams ranked higher than them in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings in preparation for next year’s big dance.
The 2022 AFF Women’s Championship winner is getting his wish as Wales is ranked 32nd, Scotland is 25th, and Iceland is 16th in the international standings.
The last time the Filipinas traveled to Europe, they prevailed twice over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“We are leveling up our preparations for the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the team will benefit playing against stronger more experienced teams,” said Filipinas team manager Jefferson Cheng.
The Filipinas will kickstart their campaign against Wales on February 15, 2023. They will then take on Scotland afterwards on February 18, 2023. They will end their participation against Iceland on February 21, 2023.
