Blind football and goalball teams book tickets to Paris 2024 at IBSA World Games

The IBSA World Games took place over 14 days in Birmingham, where two goalball teams and three blind football teams secured their spots for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. 

With one year to go until Paris 2024, Japan and China booked tickets in the men’s and women’s goalball tournaments, respectively. Argentina, Brazil and Colombia qualified for the blind football tournament.

More than 1,000 athletes competed across 10 sports at the IBSA World Games, which took place between 18-27 August. The World Games served as an important stop on the road to the Games for athletes competing in the three Paralympic sports - goalball, blind football and Para judo.

Japan and China qualify

On the goalball court, Japan came from behind to beat South Korea 7-3 in the men’s final while China defeated Japan 3-0 in the women’s final.

There are more qualification opportunities in goalball for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, which take place between 28 August and 8 September 2024. 

The Parapan American Games and the Asia Pacific Championships, both in November, and European A and African Championships in December, double as a qualification opportunity for Paris 2024. 

Argentina win blind football tournament

Argentina won the men’s blind football tournament in Birmingham by beating China in a penalty shootout. After both teams failed to open the scoring, Ignacio Oviedo and Nahuel Heredia nailed penalties for Argentina.

Brazil, the reigning Paralympic champions, also finished on the podium after beating Colombia 7-1 in the bronze medal match.

Argentina, Brazil and Colombia secured their qualifications for Paris 2024 by advancing to the semifinals in the blind football competition in Birmingham. 

China, the other semifinalist in the tournament, had already booked a ticket to Paris by winning the 2022 IBSA Blind Football Asia/Pacific Championships, which took place in India last year.

The next important stop on the Road to Paris will be the Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile, where one team will secure quota for Paris.