FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Philippine Football Federation President John Gutierrez pose for a photo with the Olympic Games Paris 2024 official match ball during a meeting between FIFA and the Philippine Football Federation President at FIFA's Paris office on August 06, 2024 in Paris, France. Harold Cunningham, FIFA
The president of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) met with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino in Paris on Tuesday, where they discussed the country's hosting of the Futsal Women's World Cup in 2025.
In an Instagram post, Infantino hailed PFF President John Gutierrez for his "great work so far" with the federation following his election last year.
"I told President Gutierrez that I am delighted to see that the historic achievement of the women’s national team qualifying for their first FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023 will be built upon when the Philippines host the first-ever FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup in 2025, maintaining their impressive momentum in developing football within their beautiful country," Infantino said.
"The Philippines will be fantastic hosts, and I have every confidence that President Gutierrez and everyone at the PFF will make it a tournament to remember," he added.
Gutierrez, who replaced Mariano "Nonong" Araneta as the head of the PFF, said it is an honor for the Philippines to host the inaugural edition of the Futsal Women's World Cup.
The country had been announced as hosts in May, with the PFF looking to hold the tournament in October or November of next year.
READ: PH to host FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup in 2025
READ: FIFA, PFF prep for Futsal Women's World Cup
"I think this will be the way to put the Philippines on the football world map. What's it going to do for us in the sense of development? It's going to be big," said Gutierrez.
"As you know, we are primarily a basketball-loving country, but this event would certainly boost the interest of our kids to get into football as an alternative to basketball," he added.
Gutierrez also invited Infantino to the inauguration of the PFF headquarters that was awarded by FIFA to the federation.
"It should be finished around the end of October, and I've invited the (FIFA) President to come inaugurate it for us," he said.
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