FUTSAL WORLD CUP. Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia shakes hand with Philippine Football Federation president John Anthony Gutierrez during the latter's visit at the Cebu City Hall on Monday (June 24, 2024). Gutierrez said PFF is rallying support from the local government after the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) chose Cebu City as the venue for the Futsal Women's World Cup in November 2025. (PNA photo by Ramil Ayuman)
CEBU CITY – The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is eyeing Cebu City as host for the first-ever Futsal Women's World Cup in November 2025, a sports official said on Monday.
John Anthony Gutierrez, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president, said the international sports event was awarded to the Philippines after beating six other countries, including Lithuania, Spain and Italy in a bidding.
Gutierrez visited the Cebu City Hall on Monday to ask for support, saying that FIFA is looking for a suitable football field and facilities around Cebu City where 16 countries will be participating in the World Cup.
“We’re looking at having some of the games played here even eliminations, semi-finals, quarter-finals, or even the finals if we find a good, enough venue,” Gutierrez told reporters here in an interview at the city hall.
Gutierrez said the 16 countries would play the qualifying rounds for the World Cup here next year.
The futsal team from the Philippines will automatically play as a privilege being the host country.
FIFA, he said, chose Cebu City because of the “healthy football community” here.
In a separate press conference, Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia pledged the support of the city government, saying the capital city is prepared to host such an international sports event.
“One of our thrusts is really to bring all these big events here in Cebu City because of sports tourism (program). It is also something that is an opportunity for the city of Cebu to be able to expand our tourism,” Garcia said.
Garcia vowed to help the organizers find a good venue for the game.
Cebu City will be hosting next month’s Palarong Pambansa 2024. (PNA)
