18/02/2026
Sana hindi pa iimplement this year laking adjustment nito😥😥😥
"We thank DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara and the Palarong Pambasa Team for approving this shift to the 8v8 format, and to PSC Chair Pato Gregorio for endorsing our proposal. We likewise thank and recognize PFF ExCo Member Mr. Rufino Arellano for steadfastly championing the modernization of football within DepEd,” said PFF President John Gutierrez, who personally pushed for 8v8 and Girls’ Futsal inclusion during the Palarong Pambansa stakeholders’ forum for the 2025 Palarong Pambansa in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
The Philippine Football Federation welcomes the adoption of 8v8 football for the Elementary Boys Division and the inclusion of football as a regular sport in the Secondary Girls Division and futsal in the Elementary Girls Division, both to be implemented at this year’s Palarong Pambansa. The PFF thanks the Department of Education for ensuring these reforms move from policy to on-ground implementation.
These reforms align youth football with international development standards, while strengthening pathways for girls through school-based futsal, building on the momentum of the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup 2025.
More than the wins of our Women’s and Men’s Teams in the International stage, many years from now, the 8v8 format change will prove to be one of the biggest single difference for the future of Philippine Football. A new chapter is about to unfold.
The PFF thanks the Regional Football Associations for beginning to implement 8v8 and futsal in their regions, and extends appreciation to DepEd officials Usec. Peter Irving Corvera, Asec. Georgina Yang, Usec. Malcom Garma, and Palarong Pambansa Secretariat Head Dr. Marivic Toritol, alongside the PFF Executive Committee and RFAs, for their roles in preparing for 2026.
A concrete step forward for grassroots football and futsal in the Philippines. 🇵🇭⚽
🔗 Read more: https://pff.org.ph/pff-pushes-for-elem-girls-futsal-and.../
