The Philippines National Football team also known as “Pambansang koponan ng futbol ng Pilipinas” have been playing soccer at an international level since 1913. The team is referred to as the Azkals (street dogs) and are a part of the Philippine Football Federation.
Despite never qualifying for the FIFA World Cup, the Azkals proudly wear their countries colors and play with pride. This guide will discuss the Philippine National Football team and provide resources for PH residents looking to place bets on the international events.
Is It Legal To Place Bets On Philippine Football/Soccer?
Yes, as long as the sportsbook is located offshore and not within the Philippine jurisdiction.
Philippine gambling laws do not prevent PH residents from betting online with offshore betting sites. The government does suggest that Filipinos only bet with legally licensed and regulated sportsbooks. The sportsbooks suggested on this page comply with PH gambling laws and are licensed offshore so there is no risk of prosecution betting on these sites.
Top-Rated Online Sportsbooks Accepting Football Bets From The Philippines
The sites below offer the most options for betting on international soccer/football events. They are located offshore and hold compliance letters from local regulators. Our industry professionals have determined that these sites offer the best bonus options, most convenient banking options, fastest withdrawal times, and excellent customer service all from a brand that is trusted among industry professionals.
| Site Name | Current Bonus | Payout Speed | Age | PH | Play Now |
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 | 50% Max $1,000 | 24-48 Hours | 18+ | Play Now Review |
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Legal Online Football Betting
Domestic sportsbooks are not allowed to offer their services to Filipino residents located within the Philippines. The Philippine government has put a stop to domestic online gambling because he personally doesn’t like gambling.
Fortunately for online bettors from the Philippines online gambling is legal from offshore sites, like the ones listed above. Offshore sites are known for their lucrative bonus options, plentiful betting lines, and multiple wagering options.
Domestic Sports Betting in The Philippines
There are a couple of ways that Philippine residents can bet on sports domestically. MegaSportsWorld (MSW) is one of the most popular PH domestic sportsbooks that offer betting lines on international football events.
However, there are limits to the MSW product. Namely, participants must be at least 21 years old, and they must also be rated as “VIP” gamblers with established histories with Philippine gaming venues. Thus, for most residents, offshore sportsbooks offer far more options with fewer restrictions.
Origins Of The Philippine Football Federation
The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) regulates the Men’s National Football team the Azkals, the Woman’s National Football team the Malditas (Feisty ladies), and the Youth National teams. The PFF was founded in 1907 and became a member of the Federacion International de Football Association since 1930 and is a founding member of the Asian Football Confederation.
2018 AFF Suzuki Cup
The AFF Suzuki Cup will begin play on November 13th, 2018. The Suzuki Cup will pose several international Asian teams against each other in an effort to promote the sport. The tournament is broken up into two groups of 5-teams to play a round-robin system. The Suzuki Cup is a FIFA “A” tournament meaning that nations will earn vital ranking points.
Teams participating in the 2018 FAA Suzuki Cup include:
- Brunei Ds
- Cambodia
- Indonesia
- Laos
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
- Philippines
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Vietnam
Azkals Qualify For 2019 Asean Cup
For the first time in the team’s history, the Philippine National Football team has qualified for the AFC Asean Cup a tournament hosted by the Asean Football Confederation (AFC). The winner of the tournament qualifies for the FIFA Confederations Cup. Today the AFC Asean Cup is hosted every 4 years in participating Asian countries.
In March 2018 the Azkals won a spot in the tournament when they beat Tajikistan 2-1 and finished on top of their group (F) with 12 points. The AFC Asean Cup is set to begin to play in January 2019 and will be the Azkals first trip to the prestigious tournament.
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup is held every 4 years and is considered the grandest stage in professional football/soccer. The Philippines national team have never qualified for the World Cup, but there is hope.
The Azakals recently hired a new coach Sven-Goran Eriksson who has a great deal of experience. He just started in late 2018 but stated that he is ready for something different. While basketball might still be the most popular sport in the Philippines, football is growing alongside Azkals success.