FIFA scheme boosts grassroots football in the Philippines

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) and FIFA have strengthened their commitment to elite youth football development through the successful conclusion of the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS) Visit and Center of Development (COD) Workshop 2025.

Held from October 14 to 19, 2025, the initiative reinforced the PFF’s long-term strategy to nurture homegrown talent and establish a clear pathway from grassroots to the national team for both boys and girls.

“Through the FIFA Talent Development Scheme, we are building a clear and sustainable pathway for Filipino players to rise from the regions to the national team,” said PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez.

“Our focus is on nurturing homegrown talent and creating a football culture where every young Filipino has the chance to reach their full potential,” he added.

The FIFA TDS is a global program that assists Member Associations like the PFF in identifying and developing football talent through evidence-based, long-term strategies.

The visit was led by FIFA High Performance Specialist Eric Abrams of Belgium and FIFA representative Mike Wong of Singapore, who engaged with PFF leadership, technical staff, and regional representatives.

Abrams arrived on October 14 and attended the AFC Qualifiers match between the Philippines and Timor-Leste at New Clark City.

He met with Gutierrez on October 15 at the PFF House of Football in Pasig City to assess the ongoing implementation of the 2023–2026 FIFA TDS Project.

“This collaboration with FIFA ensures that our programs, from grassroots to the elite level, are unified under one clear and strategic direction,” Gutierrez said.

“We are determined to create a strong and sustainable football pathway that allows every Filipino player—boys and girls alike—to reach their full potential here at home.”

On October 16, Abrams and Wong held meetings with PFF’s technical leaders, including Football Director Vince Santos, Talent ID Head Roman Oliver, Youth Development Head Tetsuya Tsuchida, Coaching Education Head Aris Bocalan, and PFF TDS Manager Mark Abel De Castro.

That evening, they observed a training session at the NCR Football Association’s Center of Development for U11 and U12 players of both genders.

From October 17 to 19, the COD Workshop took place at the Philippine Sports Commission in Malate, Manila, with 23 regional representatives—three of them women—attending from Cebu, Bukidnon, Laguna, Negros Occidental, and Zamboanga.

The program combined theory sessions, field demonstrations, and strategic presentations led by Abrams and the PFF Technical team.

Abrams stressed that the involvement of all football sectors—from Regional Football Associations (RFAs) to schools, universities, and academies—is critical to building a sustainable development system.

“Collaboration among all sectors of Philippine football is a condicio sine qua non to fully unlock the country’s gold mine of football talent,” Abrams said.

Gutierrez reaffirmed the federation’s vision, stating, “PFF will work hand-in-hand with our RFAs, schools, and partners in both the public and private sectors to create an integrated and inclusive system that nurtures future national team players.”

The workshop ended with practical sessions and a closing ceremony on October 19, underscoring the unified goal of both FIFA and the PFF to build a gender-inclusive and sustainable football development framework in the Philippines.

“Our focus is on nurturing homegrown talent so that they can proudly represent the country at the highest levels,” said Gutierrez.

“Through FIFA’s guidance and the collective effort of our football community, we are shaping a stronger and more inclusive future for Philippine football.”