Coach Alen Stajcic to new Filipinas supporters: Welcome to the football party!

"Welcome to the football party!"

This is what Philippine women's national football team head coach Alen Stajcic said when asked about the growing number of supporters of the Filipinas in the country.

After the national team's win against New Zealand in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, fans who joined viewing parties were jubilant as the Filipinas made history on the global stage.

And leading into the crucial match against Norway, more live viewing parties have been set up across the country for the supporters to watch the said fixture.

For Stajcic, they will welcome everyone who will join in the football phenomenon.

"Football is a religion around the world, uniting 90% of the countries around the world. Probably my country Australia, the Philippines, and New Zealand are three other countries in the world where football is not number one," he said.

"We welcome everyone, we embrace everyone. As we know, football is a universal sport where everyone can play, everyone can support, everyone can engage in the game. You don't have to be seven-foot tall. You don't have to be tall, short, [or] wide. It doesn't matter what color you are. It doesn't matter what religion you are. Everyone can play. That's why the whole world loves the game and that's why World Cups are special," added Stajcic.

SM Supermalls have assigned at least 50 of their malls for their viewing parties, while the Ayala Malls have six venues for their watch party, with an official one organized by the Philippine Football Federation and Coca-Cola Philippines to be held at the Glorietta Activity Center.

The Smart Araneta Coliseum will also hold a viewing party at their Yellow Gate.

Should the Filipinas win the match on Sunday, they will be assured of a slot in the knockout stage of the tournament.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA Integrated News