Marcos wishes PH men’s football team makes World Cup in the future

MANILA, Philippines– President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday took pride in the newest achievements of rising tennis star Alex Eala and the FIFA Women’s World Cup-bound Philippine Women’s National Football Team.

In his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos said he hopes that the feminine athletes’ recent success will encourage Filipinos to check out tennis and football, amongst other sports.

“Sa nag-uumapaw nating suporta kay Alex Eala, sana ay marami ang maengganyo para matuto at maglaro hindi lamang ng tennis kundi ng iba pang sport. Sa halimbawa ng Filipinas women’s football team, sana rin ay mas sumikat pa ang football sa ating bansa at marami ang maglaro (To our overflowing support for Alex Eala, I hope that many can be inspired to learn and play not only tennis but other sports. Also, taking an example from the Filipinas women’s football team, I also hope that football will turn out to be more famous in our country and plenty of will play),” Marcos said.

Per week after Spain won the lads’s World Cup 2026 against Argentina, the President said he longs for the day when the Philippine Men’s National Football Team makes it to the quadrennial event too.

“Balang araw, baka makasali na ang Pilipinas sa (Someday, possibly the Philippines will qualify for the FIFA) World Cup,” he shared his wish.

Marcos also took pride in saying that his administration tripled its support for Philippine sports.

“Hindi lamang dahil sa aliw na hatid nito, kundi para sa kalusugan (It’s not only due to entertainment it brings, but additionally for health),” Marcos said.

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) thanked the President for mentioning the football achievements in his SONA.

“Sama-sama nating iangat ang Pilipinas sa global stage ng football (Allow us to work together to raise the Philippines on the worldwide football stage),” the PFF said in a press release posted on its Facebook page. (PNA)