Face to face - Tom Sainfiet- The final goal is to reach the World Cup and write history - The Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer

The well-travelled Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer after taking charge of the Philippines-his 11th international coaching role

- By Emanuele Giulianelli

Why did you decide to take the job as head coach of the Philippines national team after your success with Gambia?

Many people saw it as a strange move going to the Philippines. I was in Gambia for five and a half years, improving our FIFA ranking by 56 positions and qualifying twice for AFCON, reaching the quarter-finals in 2021. I felt I needed a new challenge. Despite talking to big African countries like Ghana and Cameroon, the Philippines’ new and ambitious board approached me professionally. They have potential and clear plans. My desire to prove myself and open doors in Asia made me take this step.

What is the current state of football in the Philippines?

The Philippines has a complex situation. The domestic league recently expanded from five to 15 teams, but the level is diverse. Many players aren’t born in the Philippines but have Filipino heritage and play abroad. We’ve been working to find and convince these players to join the national team. It takes time due to passport issues, but we see potential. Our infrastructure is improving, with plans for a new national stadium surface. The local league includes both Filipino and foreign players, mainly from Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea, and other countries.

You played four matches in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and lost all of them…