A Guide To Football In The Philippines

The history of football in the Philippines can be traced back more than 100 years, and today it is one of the most popular sports in the country. The name of Paulino Alcántara Riestra is taken as one of the trendsetters as he was not only the first Filipino player but also the first Asian player to play for a European club.

While local and international clubs have been fairly active in reviving and promoting football in the country at the local level, FIFA has also done its part to help the Philippines gain international recognition. The men’s and women’s national football teams regularly attend international events.

The Philippines is also home to various football venues to promote and grow the sport throughout the country.

If you are interested in learning more about football in the Philippines, this article entails a comprehensive description of the advent of football in the country, its evolution over time, and the sport’s current status in the Philippines.

History of football in The Philippines

When the Philippines became a Spanish colony in 1898, members of the football teams left their teams and escaped to save themselves. When peace resumed in the region, it also led to the revival of football in the region. Around six separate teams were formed in the early 1900s, including Manila Jockey Club, Sandow Athletic Club, and Manila Sporting Club.

The Sandow Athletic Club won the first official football match in 1907. It was held in Manila to commemorate the inauguration of the national assembly. This event led to the further popularity of the sport and the establishment of more clubs.

Many clubs and teams were formed in a few years, and they came together to form the Philippine Amateur Football Association. This association later became the Philippine Football Federation. The first national championship was held in 1921.

During the following years, the Philippine Football Association continued to strive for the growth and development of soccer in the country. San Miguel Brewery, the association’s financial partner, brought in individuals from Spain, China, and the UK to improve the quality of the national team.

Beginning in the early 2000s, FIFA played a vital role in building and improving financial facilities in the country, while foreign countries and clubs came forward in support as well, including Germany, Spain, and the UK.

Philippines Football League

The Filipino Premier League was formed in 2008 and had eight clubs. However, it was dissolved soon. Soon after, the United Football League was formed and became the top league in the country. In 2017, the PFL Philippines Football League was formed and was regarded as the country’s first professional football league.

It became the country’s highest-level football league and was authorised by the Philippine Football Federation. PFL had eight teams from various provinces and cities in the inaugural season. Currently, it has seven teams.

Over the years, the Philippines Football Federation organised a few national tournaments, for instance, the PFF Centennial Men’s Open Championship, which was held for the last time in 2007. Another notable competition is the Philippine Football Federation National Men’s Club Championship, an annual event that was held from 2011 to 2015. The PFF has also been a regular at the Long Ten Cup since 2010. The event was later renamed the Philippine Peace Cup after a series of name switches.

Philippine National Football team

The Philippine national football team has been playing internationally since 1913. The team has so far not been able to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. It has often participated in AFF Championship. The team also qualified once for the AFC Asian Cup in 2019. The team was second in the AFC Challenge Cup in 2014. It was also not able to qualify for the 2023 Asian Cup.

Do The Philippines call it football or soccer?

Like most countries in the world, the sport is predominantly addressed as football in the Philippines.

Is football popular in The Philippines?

While football is one of the popular sports in the Philippines and has a long history, the locals prefer other sports, particularly basketball and boxing.

Are Filipinos good at football?

Filipinos are generally good at playing football, and the sport is played widely in the country. However, the country’s national team has not been able to qualify for the FIFA World Cup even once, while its performance in regional events also leaves much to be desired.

At the same time, it is important to realise that sport’s popularity has suffered a major decline in the past due to a lack of infrastructure and resources, and it mostly relied on foreign aid.

With the formation of the PFL in recent years, it is hoped that talent will be nurtured and developed at the root level and help improve the overall quality of the sport.

Who is the Philippines’ best footballer?

Currently, the top Philippine football player is Neil Etheridge. He is the captain of the national football team and is also the goalkeeper of Birmingham City, an EFL Championship Club. To date, the most renowned Filipino football player is Paulino Alcántara Riestra. He was the first Filipino player and the first Asian player to play for a European club, Real Madrid.

How many football leagues are in the Philippines?

The Philippines has only one football league, the Philippines Premier League, as sanctioned by the Philippines Football Federation. It was formed in 2017.

How good is the philippines national football team?

As of October 2023, the Philippines national football team is ranked 138th in the FIFA World Rankings. This represents a decline from their highest-ever ranking of 111, achieved in May 2018. The team’s ranking has fluctuated over time, having been as low as 195 back in 2006.

The Philippines have a notable history in international football, though they have never qualified for the FIFA World Cup. Their most significant achievement on the Asian stage was their participation in the AFC Asian Cup in 2019, where they reached the group stage. Additionally, the team had a strong showing in the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup, where they finished as runners-up.

The period post-2010 marked a renaissance in Philippine football, particularly evident since the 2010 AFF Championship. This era was characterised by a concerted effort to develop the sport within the country and increase fan support. This push led to their first major tournament appearance at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. Despite not qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the team reached their highest FIFA ranking in May 2018. The team’s performance in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification was robust, although they did not qualify for the tournament. The Philippines’ consistent efforts in recent years indicate a positive trend in the development and competitiveness of their national football team.

How popular is Philippines football betting?

Certainly, here’s the information about the popularity of football betting in the Philippines broken down into paragraphs:

Football betting in the Philippines is a widely popular form of sports betting, embraced by many football enthusiasts. This popularity is influenced by the global appeal of football as one of the most watched and bet-on sports.

The burgeoning football culture in the Philippines, particularly among the younger generation, has significantly contributed to the interest in football betting. The increase in football activities, including the establishment of clubs and competitions nationwide, has enhanced the sport’s visibility and appeal. This growing football infrastructure has led to more football events such as tournaments and friendly games, attracting large audiences and increasing betting interest.

Filipino fans are notably engaged in betting on top international football leagues, including the Premier League, Serie A, Liga Expansion MX, and Liga Promerica. This demonstrates a wide-ranging interest in football betting, extending beyond local matches to major international competitions.


Leave a comment

Free Betting Tips, Direct to Your Inbox

Sign Up Today to Join Betting Gods for FREE and Receive Betting Tips Direct to Your Inbox Every Morning

Not Sure Who to Join?

These are the Top Performing Tipsters in March

In Form

The Outside Edge

1,502 Winners Since December 2019
Total Profit:£18,355.58

£367.11

Per Month

29.68%

Win Rate

8.33%

ROI

£990.75

This Month

In Form

Premier Greyhound Tips

1,070 Winners Since October 2014
Total Profit:£34,436.35

£307.47

Per Month

27.25%

Win Rate

13.31%

ROI

£555.75

This Month

Racing Rundown

313 Winners Since August 2022
Total Profit:£7,394.50

£369.73

Per Month

22.72%

Win Rate

10.49%

ROI

£332.00

This Month