Ottawa, ON – In a landmark agreement, Canada Soccer and the Canadian Blind Sport Association (CBSA) have formalized a partnership that will see the sanctioning of blind soccer fall under Canada Soccer. This agreement is a significant step forward in the sport’s development, ensuring long-term growth and greater accessibility for blind and visually impaired athletes across the country.
“CBSA advocates for inclusion within the sport system for Canadians who are blind and visually impaired. We are pleased to support the partnership with Soccability Canada in this endeavour towards ensuring full inclusion in all aspects of Canadian Sport for Life. As a member organization of IBSA, CBSA facilitates classification requirements and a pathway to international competitions for athletes who are blind and visually impaired,” said Launel Scott, President of Canadian Blind Sport Association.
The Canadian Blind Sport Association, recognized by the International Blind Sport Federation (IBSA) and the International Paralympic Committee for the delivery of blind sports in Canada, has played a pivotal role in fostering blind soccer. With this new agreement, Canada Soccer is now officially recognized by IBSA as the governing body responsible for the sport’s development in Canada.
As an extension to the existing partnership with Canada Soccer, Soccability Canada, a national organization focused on ensuring any person with a disability has an opportunity to play soccer in their community and a pathway for further opportunities in the game, will oversee the delivery of the Blind National Team program.
“The agreement is critical to the growth of blind soccer at all levels of the game in Canada. At the national level, it recognizes our hunger to compete with the best men’s teams and play an integral role in the rapidly expanding women’s game. At the grassroots level, we now have a clear pathway for young and developing players to aspire to, building a strong network of blind soccer programs from coast to coast to coast,” shared Matt Greenwood, Director of Soccability Canada.
This announcement comes ahead of the US Blind Soccer Invitational, set to take place from 25 April to 28 April, 2025, in Colorado Springs. The tournament will feature teams from the USA, Romania, and Honduras, marking an important milestone in Canada’s commitment to international blind soccer competition. Additionally, the Women’s Blind Soccer World Championships in Kochi, India (October, 2025) and the Men’s Americas Division 2 Championship in San Jose, Costa Rica (December, 2025) will provide further opportunities for Canadian athletes to compete on the global stage. All three tournaments will be livestreamed, bringing visibility and excitement to the growing sport.
This agreement underscores Canada Soccer’s commitment to greater inclusion and accessibility in soccer. The sanctioning of blind soccer complements the existing national Men’s Para team, which has been active since 2007. Furthermore, Canada Soccer continues to expand its accessibility initiatives, with the upcoming release of the Accessible Soccer Online Module reinforcing its dedication to building inclusive participation.
“We’re very excited to add Blind Soccer to our roster of extended National Team programming. This provides a new pathway for participants to experience our game and reinforces our commitment to accessibility and inclusion. We’d like to thank CBSA for the opportunity to partner on this initiative and Soccability Canada for their tireless commitment and passion. We look forward to seeing the growth of Blind Soccer in Canada,” said Dave Nutt, Director of Development at Canada Soccer.
With this agreement, Canada Soccer, in collaboration with CBSA and Soccability Canada, aims to expand the reach of blind soccer, increase opportunities for athletes, and generate greater support for the sport across Canada. This milestone marks a significant moment in Canadian soccer history as the nation continues to prioritize inclusion and accessibility in the game.
About the Game
Blind soccer, the only soccer format included in the Paralympic Games, has rapidly gained recognition as a powerful force for change. The sport offers dynamic, team-based participation opportunities for blind and visually impaired athletes while also creating pathways for coaching and officiating. As awareness grows, so does the opportunity for spectators to experience and appreciate the skill and strategy involved in the game.
A History of Blind Soccer
Blind soccer, originally developed in schools for people with visual impairments, follows a five-a-side format based on futsal rules. Spain pioneered the sport in the 1920s, followed by significant development in Brazil in the 1960s. The first national championships were held in 1974, and in 1996, the sport came under the governance of the International Blind Sports Federation. Blind soccer made its Paralympic debut in 2004, with Brazil securing the inaugural gold medal in Athens. The sport has since remained a fixture of the Paralympic Games, with France capturing the gold at the most recent Paris 2024 Games after a thrilling penalty shootout against Argentina.