The Philippine Women’s Football Team—also called Filipinas—has a date with Asia’s heavyweights in its quest for a first-ever Olympic berth.
At the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, the Filipinas were drawn into Group B of the Asian qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, alongside DPR Korea, Korea Republic, and China PR. That’s three of Asia’s established powers, with the Philippines in the unenviable role of underdog.
The Filipinas’ Draw
The Philippines, ranked 39th, came from Pot 4 and is the lowest-ranked team in its group. North Korea (12th) is the top seed, with South Korea (17th) and China (18th) completing the quartet.
The other group is no easier on paper: Group A features Japan, Australia, Chinese Taipei, and Uzbekistan. The eight teams are the quarterfinalists of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
How Qualification Works
Asia has 2.5 berths at the Games, which will feature 16 women’s teams, up from 12 in Paris. Here is the path:
- Group stage: Each team plays the others home and away across six matchdays, from April 19 to December 4, 2027. That means two matches each in April and October and one apiece in November and December.
- Direct berths: The two group winners qualify for Los Angeles.
- Playoff: The two runners-up meet in a home-and-away playoff on February 28 and March 4, 2028, with the Group B runner-up hosting the first leg.
- Last chance: The playoff winner faces Argentina in an intercontinental playoff for the final spot.
What the Philippines Must Do
Finishing first in this group would require outlasting North Korea, South Korea, and China, which is a tall order. The more realistic target is second place and the playoff, but even that means beating at least one or two of the big three over home-and-away matches.
The group itself is a tough place for everyone. South Korea has never played at the Olympics and has struggled against North Korea (1 win, 5 draws, 16 losses) and China (5 wins, 10 draws, 29 losses). At the recent Asian Games, the South Koreans drew North Korea 1-1 and beat China 1-0 for bronze. The margins in Group B are thin, and the Filipinas will want home matches to count.
Chances: Realistic Hopes, With a Hard Road
The Filipinas arrive in better shape than they were three years ago. Their Paris bid ended in Perth when they finished second in their group but lost out to Uzbekistan on goal difference after an 8-0 loss to Australia.
This year has been better. The Philippines lost to Australia and South Korea (3-0) before beating Iran, 2-0, and advanced to the Asian Cup quarterfinals as one of the best third-placed teams. They then lost to Japan, 7-0, but beat Uzbekistan, 2-0, behind goals from Angela Beard and Jaclyn Sawicki, to qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, their second straight appearance.
That World Cup experience, plus a squad that’s reached the final eight of Asia, gives the Filipinas something to build on. But the gap to South Korea, China, and especially North Korea was clear in the Asian Cup, and the Philippines will need to find results in the matches that matter, likely at home.
The Philippines has never played in an Olympics, and the LA28 qualifiers are the best shot yet. Realistically, the second place and the playoff are the goal. Anything more would be a historic upset.
