The Philippine Women’s National Football Team (PWNFT) will begin its preparations for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup with a training camp in the United States, where it is scheduled to play two international friendly matches this June.
The PWNFT will face off against NWSL pace-setters San Diego Wave on June 4 and NISA side Albion San Diego on June 9 for their U.S. training camp.
The Filipinas will be at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center—an Olympic-standard facility that has supported the national team’s development program in recent years—which marks the Filipinas’ first assembly since clinching World Cup qualification through the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
It follows a landmark six months that saw the team claim gold at the Southeast Asian Games and navigate a demanding qualification campaign with distinction.
The San Diego Wave presents a formidable yardstick. Currently third in the NWSL standings, the Wave features a constellation of international talent, including Canada’s Adriana Leon, Brazil’s Ludmila, and France’s Kenza Dali—a virtual trial by fire against a side Torcaso rates alongside the world’s best women’s clubs.
Notably, Filipinas prospect Nya Harrison, whose Philippine citizenship application recently advanced to a Congressional hearing, is also on the Wave roster, adding another layer of significance to the June 4 fixture.
The second match against Albion San Diego on June 9 offers a complementary challenge—one where the coaching staff intends to focus on ball retention, attacking transitions, and controlling the tempo of play. Together, the two fixtures are designed to stress-test both defensive organization and offensive fluency, giving Torcaso’s staff crucial data points ahead of the World Cup buildup proper.
Talent Identification Program Before Training Camp
Aside from strengthening the core of the PWNFT, head coach Mark Torcaso and his staff will also conduct a Talent Identification Program featuring approximately 50 players—whittled down from over 150 inquiries—drawn from across the United States and beyond.
The ID camp targets both U20 prospects for a future Asian Cup qualifying pool and senior players capable of strengthening the current national team panel, continuing the pipeline that has already produced talents like Sarina Bolden, Jael-Marie Guy, Alexa Pino, and Ari Markey.
Hali Long, Olivia McDaniel, and Jaclyn Sawicki Lead the Team
Returning to represent the Philippines are the core of the PWNFT led by team captain Hali Long, along with familiar veteran key players such as goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel, Angie Beard, Jaclyn Sawicki, Katrina Guillou, and Chandler McDaniel.
Young rising stars from the 2025 SEA Games and 2026 Women’s Asian Cup—Alexa Pino, Jael-Marie Guy, and Ariana Markey—are also in the team.
Returning to the Filipinas are 2023 World Cup defender Reina Bonta, 2025 FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup veteran Inday Tolentin, and Katana Norman. Chardonnay Curran, Camryn Penn, Keira Wagner, and Kyra Murphy are debuting for the Filipinas in the friendlies.
PWNFT Squad List for the Two San Diego Friendlies
Goalkeepers
- Olivia Alexandra McDaniel
- Nina Andrea Meollo
- Gabrielle Lyn Aker
Field players
- Isabella Pasion
- Ma. Meryll Krysteen Serrano
- Carleigh Frilles
- Jaclyn Katrina Sawicki
- Sofia Nicole Harrison Wunsch
- Angela Rachael Beard
- Jessika Rebecca Cowart
- Hali Moriah Long (c)
- Kaya Hawkinson
- Alessandrea Casimere Carpio
- Chandler Blue McDaniel
- Katrina Jacqueline Guillou
- Mary Louise Ramirez
- Alexa Marie Pino
- Jourdyn Curran
- Natalie Rae Oca
- Azumi Oka
- Malea Louise Cesar
- Katana Ameorfina Norman
- Jael-Marie Guy
- Dionesa Tolentin
- Reina Gabriela Bonta
- Ariana Isabella Markey
- Chardonnay Curran
- Camryn Penn
- Keira Wagner
- Kyra Murphy
Finding Balance Between Veterans and New Talent
The trajectory of the women’s national team is at an all-time high right now. They have just survived a grueling Women’s Asian Cup playoff, as well as secured their first-ever gold medal in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games last December.
Back in 2023, the Philippines managed just one win and suffered two losses at the World Cup. Now, the team has an opportunity to write a new chapter not only for the women’s program but also for Philippine football as a whole.
There were plenty of what-ifs three years ago, but this time, head coach Mark Torcaso has had more than enough time to prepare the squad and potentially lead it to new heights on the global stage.
It is also encouraging to see that despite still relying on the country’s established stars, the program remains committed to identifying and developing new young talents who can contribute not only to the youth teams but also become familiar with the senior setup.
More than just a team with immense potential, the PWNFT has shown that it is not merely fortunate to be competing in major tournaments. The squad is capable of playing at a high level and will undoubtedly aim to challenge for top honors.
With the ongoing training camp in the United States, the continued search for talent through identification camps, and the possible integration of new players into the system, the Philippines could very well surprise the football world in the months ahead.
