The Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center hosted the Blind Soccer International Cup, marking the start of the journey to the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games. Organized by the United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA), the tournament welcomed the national teams of the United States (host), Japan, and England in a round-robin format this past weekend.
In the opening match, Team USA faced off against England, delivering an exciting game despite the final scoreline (7-0 in favor of England). Families and fans cheered from the stands, offering applause and words of encouragement to all players at the end of each game.
Ranked #16 globally, England remained undefeated after their win over Japan (#3) with a 2-0 victory. The U.S. team, as of yet unranked by the International Blind Sports Association (IBSA), showed determination throughout the tournament.
Founded in 1976, USABA has been dedicated to creating life-changing athletic opportunities for visually impaired athletes, including sports like goalball and blind soccer. Beyond supporting athletes in achieving their goals, USABA actively promotes accessibility and visibility in adaptive sports.
Blind Soccer was first included in the Paralympic Games in Athens 2004, and now, two decades later, USABA aims to expand its reach in the lead-up to Los Angeles 2028, hoping to elevate the sport’s visibility and impact.