CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Former Fighting Illini soccer standout Alicia Barker was one of 23 players named to the Philippines FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 squad, the Philippine Football Federation announced on Sunday.

Barker will be a part of a historic Filipinas squad that will be competing in FIFA Women's World Cup for the first time in the team's 42-year history, joint-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

"I am so proud of and excited for Alicia," head coach Janet Rayfield said. "She deserves the opportunity to experience a World Cup. The work she put in during college on the field and off and her growth as a leader is all paying off at a time she didn't expect."

"That's a lesson we can all learn. I can't wait to see her compete for the Philippines." 

At Illinois, the Woodinville, Wash., appeared in 75 games, all starts, in the Orange and Blue, earning All-Big Ten Second Team Defender, United Soccer Coaches Association Scholar All-North/Central Region Second Team and USCA All-North Region Third Team in a breakout 2018 campaign.

Barker and Philippines were drawn into Group A, along with Switzerland, Norway and hosts New Zealand. The Filipinas open play on Friday, July 21, at 12:00 a.m. CT, against Switzerland.