Midfielder Adrian Ugelvik, 22, is playing in the Norwegian Third Division for Levanger. Before joining Levanger, Ugelvik played 36 matches for Brattvag in the same league.
Ugelvik has a Norwegian father and a Filipino mother. He was called up to play the 2020 AFF Cup, but missed the chance due to injury.
Winger striker Dylan Demuynck (2nd, L) is the most notable new name, having played for Belgium U15 and U20. The 1.66 m tall attacker has played for Zulte Waregem in the Belgian Pro League since 2022, playing 22 matches and scoring two goals.
Demuynck has a Belgian father and a Filipino mother. In March 2024, coach Tom Saintfiet personally met this 20-year-old player in Belgium and convinced him to play for Philippines national team.
The third name is midfielder Scott Woods (C), 23, who has played seven matches for Norwegian Third Division club Eik Tonsberg. The player of Scottish and Filipino nationality is a central midfielder and has played in the U.S. and Philippines.
Another player is midfielder Kristofer Reyes (pictured), 26, playing for Krabi in Thai League 3. He has a Filipino father and an Icelandic mother.
The fifth rookie is striker Jeremiah Borlongan.
Four players will be missing from the team as they are playing the U.S. and Canada. They are midfielders Zico Bailey, Matthew Baldisimo and striker Alex Monis, and Michael Baldisimo - Matthew's younger brother.
Philippines will have the service of young defender Santiago Rublico (above), playing for U19 Atletico Madrid. Rublico started in the 0-2 loss to Vietnam in the opening game of the 2026 World Cup second qualifying round.
35-year-old striker Patrick Reichelt (pictured) is a familiar face in the Philippines, having played 83 matches and scored 15 goals. He is the only player left from Philippines' 1-0 win over Vietnam in the 2012 AFF Cup group stage.
The second oldest player on the team is Neil Reichelt, a goalkeeper who has played 80 matches and was the only player left from the 2-0 win over Vietnam in the 2010 AFF Cup group stage.
Center back Amani Aguinaldo (C) is behind Reichelt and Reichelt in terms of appearances, with 58 matches for the national team. He is playing in Thai League 1 for Trat FC. Two other veterans of Philippines are midfielder Kevin Ingreso and striker OJ Porteria.
Coach Tom Saintfiet has called up 28 players this time, with 22 playing abroad, 10 of whom appeared in the previous 0-2 loss to Vietnam. The Belgian coach is trying to refresh the team, using many young and naturalized players.
Philippines gathered the team in Dubai, UAE. On Tuesday, the team arrived in Vietnam, then had their first training session. Their goal is to focus on adapting to the weather and pitch.
Philippines are currently at the bottom of group F in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with one point, two and six points behind Vietnam and Indonesia. The team are determined beat Vietnam and Indonesia in the last two rounds, to keep their hope of entering the third qualifying round.
Their game against Vietnam will start at 7 p.m. (Hanoi time) and will be reported live on VnExpress International.
