Philippines Football: Azkals, Filipinas and the Game's Rise
Basketball still rules, but football has had its moments: the Miracle of Hanoi, a Women's World Cup win over New Zealand and a growing youth scene in Cebu and Davao.
In this article
Philippines football has gone from an afterthought to a source of real national pride in little more than a decade. The men's team, the Azkals, captured the country's attention with a shock win over Vietnam at the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, and the women's team, the Filipinas, made history by qualifying for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup and beating co-host New Zealand 1-0. Here is how the sport grew, how the league works, and where football is played in Cebu and Davao.
A basketball country that discovered football
Basketball is the Philippines' dominant sport, as our guide to the PBA, UAAP and MPBL explains. Football was played in the country more than a century ago, and the Philippines took part in early regional competitions, but for decades the national teams struggled and the sport had limited media coverage.
Football remained strong in some pockets, though: in schools and universities, in parts of Western Visayas such as Bacolod and Iloilo, in Mindanao communities, and among expatriate clubs. Those roots helped when the sport suddenly took off.
The Azkals' rise: the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup
The turning point came at the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, Southeast Asia's main national-team tournament. The Philippine team, made up of home-grown players plus several Filipinos raised abroad with Filipino parents, went into the tournament with low expectations.
In the group stage in Hanoi, the Azkals beat defending champions Vietnam 2-0, a result Filipino fans still call the "Miracle of Hanoi." The team went on to reach the semi-finals for the first time, where they lost to Indonesia. The run made instant celebrities of players like the Younghusband brothers, Phil and James, and goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who later played in England's Premier League.
| Azkals milestone | Why it mattered |
|---|---|
| 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup semi-final | First-ever semi-final, sparked a football boom at home |
| Win over Vietnam in Hanoi (2010) | Beat the defending champions away from home |
| 2019 AFC Asian Cup | First qualification for Asia's top national-team tournament |
After 2010, televised matches, sponsorship deals and new youth programmes followed. The team qualified for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates, its first appearance at Asia's biggest national-team event.
The Filipinas: a World Cup to remember
The women's national team has produced the biggest moments in recent years.
- 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup: the Filipinas reached the semi-finals, which secured their place at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, the first World Cup for any senior Philippine national football team.
- 2022 AFF Women's Championship: playing at home in Manila, the team won its first Southeast Asian title.
- 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup: in Australia and New Zealand, the Filipinas beat co-host New Zealand 1-0 in Wellington, with a header from Sarina Bolden. It was the country's first-ever win at a FIFA World Cup.
Though they did not advance past the group stage, the win inspired many young Filipinas to take up the sport. Under head coach Alen Stajcic, the squad combined players developed in the Philippines with Filipino-heritage players raised abroad, similar to the Azkals' approach.
The Philippines Football League (PFL)
The Philippines Football League (PFL) is the country's top professional club competition, launched in 2017 and run under the Philippine Football Federation. Clubs have come and gone over the years, and the league's format has changed several times.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2017 |
| Organiser | Philippine Football Federation |
| Clubs | Varies by season |
| Continental link | Top clubs can qualify for AFC club competitions |
Clubs from outside Metro Manila have taken part at different times. Davao Aguilas represented the Davao region in the PFL's early seasons, playing home matches in Davao del Norte, and Cebu has been represented by clubs such as Dynamic Herb Cebu FC in recent seasons. Club line-ups can change, so check the PFF or league channels for the current season.
Grassroots football in Cebu
Cebu has one of the most active youth football scenes in the Visayas. Private schools, universities and clubs run regular programmes, and youth tournaments in Cebu have attracted teams from across the region for years. Weekend matches are common at school fields and sports complexes in Cebu City and Mandaue.
If you want to join or enrol a child:
- Ask local schools and universities about their varsity and summer programmes.
- Look for clubs affiliated with the local football association that operates under the PFF.
- Check community groups for casual adult games and futsal nights.
Grassroots football in Davao
Football in Davao is growing too, with school programmes, club academies and community leagues. Mindanao has produced players for national youth teams, and futsal is popular because it needs only a small court. Expat and local "pick-up" games are easy to find through social media groups.
For other ways to stay active, see our guides to running events in Cebu and Davao and the pickleball boom.
How to watch Philippines football
- National teams: Azkals and Filipinas matches are usually shown on local TV or official streaming partners; schedules are posted on the PFF's channels.
- Club football: PFL and youth tournaments are often streamed online by the league or clubs.
- Live: Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila has hosted many national-team matches. Tickets for big games sell quickly.
Football fans also follow boxing and basketball closely here; read about Cebu and Mindanao boxing legends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Philippine men's football team called the Azkals?
"Azkals" comes from askal, a Filipino slang term for street dogs (asong kalye), chosen to reflect a tough, scrappy underdog spirit.
Did the Philippines ever win a World Cup match?
Yes. The Filipinas beat New Zealand 1-0 at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, the country's first win at a FIFA World Cup. Sarina Bolden scored the goal.
What was the Miracle of Hanoi?
It was the Azkals' 2-0 win over defending champions Vietnam in Hanoi during the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, which launched a football boom in the Philippines.
Is there a professional football league in the Philippines?
Yes. The Philippines Football League (PFL), launched in 2017, is the top-tier professional club competition, organised under the Philippine Football Federation.
