Kochi is set to become the epicenter of global blind football as the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) Women’s Blind Football World Cup 2025 kicks off this Sunday, October 5th.
The prestigious week-long tournament, organized by the Indian Blind Football Federation (IBFF), will unfold at the United Sports Centre in Kakkanad, concluding on October 11th. In anticipation of the thrilling matches, team captains, coaches, and Mariano Travaglino, the World Championship’s technical director, gathered at the Ernakulam Press Club on Saturday, October 4th, to proudly unveil the coveted Champions’ Trophy.
During the press conference, tournament director M.C. Roy and Sunil J. Mathew, head coach of the Indian Blind Football Team, shared insights and important details about the upcoming championship.
A special inauguration ceremony is slated for 5 p.m., featuring Kerala High Court judges A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar, Raja Vijayaraghavan, Bechu Kurian Thomas, and P. Gopinath. In a powerful gesture of support and understanding, they will jointly light the ceremonial lamp while blindfolded. The host nation, India, will then face Brazil in the electrifying opening match at 7 p.m.
The championship will see fierce competition among eight formidable teams: defending champions Argentina, host country India, Brazil, England, Poland, Turkey, Canada, and Japan. This unique five-a-side format allows only the goalkeeper to be sighted, adding an extraordinary dimension to the game.
This World Cup follows the successful hosting of the IBSA Men’s Blind Football Nations Cup 2025 by the IBFF at the same venue, which wrapped up on October 1st. In that gripping men’s final, England emerged victorious, with Iran taking second place and Italy securing third. The Indian men’s team also showcased impressive talent, earning a respectable fourth place finish.