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Blind football match between Brazil and Colombia during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Athletes are wearing blindfolds and chasing down the audible ball.

Football

 

Main photo: Blind football match during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. ©Andia / Alamy Stock Photo

 

Blind Football is currently the only football discipline included within the Paralympic Games. In Blind Football teams are made up of four outfield players and one goalkeeper.

Outfield players must be classified as completely blind (B1 category), which means they have very low visual acuity and/or no light perception, whilst the goalkeeper must be sighted or partially sighted (B2 or B3 category). To ensure fair competition, all outfield players must wear eyeshades. Teams can also have off-field guides to assist them.

The ball makes a noise due to a sound system located inside that helps players orientate themselves. As a result, spectators must remain silent whilst watching the game until a goal is scored. Blind football is played on a rectangular field that measures 40m long and 20m wide. The whole length of the pitch must be covered by kickboards to prevent the ball from going out of play.

Get Involved

There are opportunities to participate in Blind Football You can refer to the British Blind Sport Website and the DSW club finder to find out how to get involved.

National Governing Body for Blind Football in Wales:

Football Association of Wales (FAW)

Website: faw.cymru

insport NGB Standard: Silver Learn more about insport NGB

 

For more information about coaching and volunteering, please Contact Us.

Competitive Pathways

There are pathways that lead to:

sport_has_paralympic_pathway.pngParalympic Games

To find out what your potential is and and for guidance in competitive pathways, please complete the Disability Sport Wales #inspireform.

Eligibility

Eligible Impairments: visual impairment.

Description: football-5-a-side is only played by those with the highest level of visual impairment. All athletes wear blindfolds when they are on the pitch, except for the goalkeeper who is sighted and can be non-disabled.

Sport Class structure: 

  • B1: for athletes with no to very low levels of visual acuity and/or light perception.

You can find out more about the eligible impairment types in Blind Football here

insport Clubs:

 


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Articles tagged with Football

 

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