MANILA, Philippines – Despite exiting from the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying tournament, the Philippine men’s football team remains in contention for a spot in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup 2027.
The Philippines’ campaign in the third round of the Asian Cup qualifiers will begin against Maldives on Tuesday, March 25, at the New Clark City Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.
Philippines head coach Albert Capellas hopes that the team delivers a “very good performance” as they kick off the first of six third round qualifying matches.
“Our next opponent is Maldives, we take this game very seriously with a very good preparation as normal as we do,” said the 57-year-old Spanish-born tactician.
The last time the Filipinos went against Maldives was in the third round of the Asian Cup 2023 qualifiers wherein they drew 1-1 at a neutral ground in United Arab Emirates.
Capellas added that he never dwells on past results as he focuses only on the next game, “I don’t want to talk about the past, football doesn’t remember the past, football is about the present and future.”
The Filipinos, ranked 150th in the latest FIFA Men’s World Ranking, were drawn in Group A alongside world No. 104 Tajikistan, 162nd-ranked Maldives, and world No. 197 Timor Leste.
“We think big, then the future will tell us if we can achieve our aims, but our aim is [to] try to finish in first position and qualify,” said Capellas, who succeeded Tom Saintfielt in 2024.
Out of the 24 teams remaining in the Asian Cup qualifiers, only six will receive a slot in the prestigious continental football tournament, meaning the Philippines must top Group F, as only the group winners will advance.
With the sole focus on qualification, Capellas has called up a strong group of players – mixing seasoned veterans with emerging stars – to play versus Maldives.
Loaded squad primed to win
Headlining the 23-man squad are goalkeeper Quincy Kammeraad, national team veteran Amani Aguinaldo, dynamic young midfielder Sandro Reyes, and ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024 history-maker Bjorn Kristensen.
Dylan Demuynck, Patrick Strauss, Javi Mariona, and Gerrit Holtmann were called up as well, but they all had to beg off due to injuries and personal reasons.
While missing yet another international window, the 57-year-old Capellas assured the fans that Holtmann’s commitment to the Philippines remains “very high.”
“He really likes to come here and play for the national team, but after we talked together, we think that this is the best decision for everybody – for the national team, for the player, and also for his club,” explained Capellas as the federation opted to not risk Holtmann ahead of the June 10 away match to Tajikistan.
Meanwhile, former Philippines team captain and longtime goalie Neil Etheridge was another notable absentee in the 23-man squad against Maldives.
The 35-year-old Etheridge has also missed out on the team’s bronze medal finish in the 50th King’s Cup and the recently concluded Mitsubishi Electric Cup.
“[Capellas] calls up the players that he feels can really execute his playing style and vision, and not every player can be called up so that’s just the case,” explained Freddy Gonzalez, the Director of Senior National Teams.
23-man squad call up:
Goalkeepers: Mendoza, Kammeraad, Schwarzer
Defenders: Aguinaldo, Baccay, Curran, Kempter, Nyholm, J. Tabinas, P. Tabinas, Ugelvik, Meriño
Midfielders: Baldisimo, Bailey, Ott, Reyes, Rontini, Schneider
Forwards: Gayoso, Kristensen, Monis, Rublico, Woods
– Rappler.com