FIFA homepage interviews the Philippines team coach before the match with the Vietnam team

The International Football Federation (FIFA) is paying special attention to the match between the Philippines and the Vietnamese team in the opening match of the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup taking place on November 16.

Coach Philippe Troussier and his players of the Vietnam national team. (Source: VFF)

"We will show all our strength on the field," FIFA's homepage on November 9 ran the headline in an interview with Philippine national team head coach Michael Weiss ahead of two matches in the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup with Vietnam (November 16) and Indonesia (November 21).

Michael Weiss officially took over the Philippines national team for the second time since last June. Previously, the 58-year-old coach led the Philippines team from 2011-2014.

After 5 months of taking over the "hot seat", the Philippines team has had 6 international matches and half of them have resulted in victory.

Coach Michael Weiss told FIFA ahead of the match against Vietnam and Indonesia: "Overall I am satisfied, although we should have won 5 out of 6 matches. We have a more competitive squad and more options on the bench against the upcoming strong teams.

We can compete on equal terms with any team, including those from the Middle East, if we have depth in the squad.

I am confident that we will show our full strength in the second qualifying round of the World Cup and prove it on the field."

According to the German strategist, the Philippines team is not afraid to face Vietnam or Indonesia, and is even ready to create big surprises in this group.

"Two home games in a familiar environment, with fans behind us and less travel, will definitely be an advantage for us," said coach Michael Weiss.

But we have to be ready. It's very important for us to have a good start and be mentally stable for the remaining matches."

According to coach Michael Weiss, the strength of the Philippine team at the moment is thanks to naturalized players, with players currently playing in the football league in Germany such as Patrick Reichelt, Kevin Ingreso, John-Patrick Strauss and his brothers Manuel and Mike Ott.

The 58-year-old coach concluded: "The harmony between Filipino players and German players of Filipino origin comes from the love and relationship of both parents. Many boys do not play a particularly important role in the German national championship and they choose to return to Southeast Asia.

Stephan Schrock is another case. He is a regular second-tier player in Germany who decided to leave Germany for a new life in the Philippines after playing for Ceres.

He is involved in all football-related matters here and is very interested in developing the sport at the youth and grassroots levels. The Philippines team should be happy to have him around."

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