IBSA Blind Football Men's Asia Championship 2026 in Umekita (Division 1): Winning Nation to be Granted Qualification for Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games

The Japan Blind Football Association (hereinafter, JBFA), a non-profit organization, is pleased to announce that the International Blind Sports Federation (hereinafter, IBSA) has officially notified that the winning nation of the "IBSA Blind Football Men's Asia Championship 2026 in Umekita (Division 1)", to be held at Grand Front Osaka Umekita Plaza (Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture) from Wednesday, April 15, 2026, to Saturday, April 25, 2026, as part of the international tournament "Daicel Blind Football Week 2026 in Umekita", will be granted qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.

This tournament is positioned as the highest-level competition in the Asian region, and at the same time, a crucial qualifying event for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games. Furthermore, the top three teams in this tournament will also be granted qualification for the 2027 Blind Football World Championship.

● Comment from Coach Nakagawa of the Japan Blind Football Men's National Team

"To all stakeholders, partner companies, and everyone who supports us daily, thank you always. The current team's biggest goal is to win a medal at the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics. To achieve that, we must first secure qualification for the Paralympics. We believe that becoming Asian champions to earn qualification is the first major hurdle. We aim to become Asian champions here in Japan, in Umekita, and seize that qualification.

Our previous Paralympic result was very frustrating. We want to overcome that frustration on the Paralympic stage. The Paralympics is a narrow gate, with only eight teams in the world able to participate. First, we will secure qualification in April, and then we will proceed with preparations to win a medal at the Paralympics. The entire team will unite and definitely win the qualification."

● About Media Application

[Media Application Acceptance Begins] Daicel Blind Football Week 2026 in Umekita https://www.b-soccer.jp/news/32486-20260317

● Tournament Outline

1. Tournament Name: IBSA Blind Football Women's Asia Championship 2026 in Umekita IBSA Blind Football Men's Asia Championship 2026 in Umekita (Division 1)

2. Event Name: Daicel Blind Football Week 2026 in Umekita

3. HP: https://blindfootballweek.b-soccer.jp

4. Tournament Schedule (Women's): Wednesday, April 15, 2026 ~ Saturday, April 18, 2026