"2026 IBSA Goalball World Championships" Opens! Both Women's and Men's Teams Win Their Opening Matches Against Poland and Argentina

The "2026 IBSA Goalball World Championships" opened on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. The women's team played their first match against Poland and won 10-0. The men's team played against Argentina and won 11-1. Both teams won their opening games, making a smooth start.

■ Day 1 (Preliminary Round) Results

Women's: Japan 10-0 Poland

Men's: Japan 11-1 Argentina

■ Comments from Women's Captain Takahashi after the match

- How do you feel looking back on the first match?

We were able to win the first match against Poland 10-0 by a cold game, and I am filled with a sense of relief and happiness right now.

- Which scene left the strongest impression on you?

I think it was very good that we persistently followed up on the points we scored. That led to consecutive points and energized the team as a whole. I think it was a very good point that we were able to create consecutive points with Amuro's 9-3 ball and Kimura's ball from zero.

- Please say a few words for the next match.

While we will thoroughly review our challenges, I think we were able to play in a good atmosphere, so we will carry that forward and do our best in tomorrow's match against Ukraine.

■ Comments from Men's Captain Kaneko after the match

- How do you feel looking back on the first match?

I think each of us fulfilled our roles, and the bench work also worked well.

- Were you nervous for the first match?

Since it was our first official tournament in two years, I was actually a bit worried about whether I would be nervous or not, but I was properly nervous, so I felt it was a tournament like any other, and the nervousness itself became a source of reassurance, which was good.

- How do you plan to lead the team in the next match?

As captain, I want to show my game through my play, score points, and lead the team, while trusting my teammates. I want the whole team to get another win and steadily move closer to the championship.

- Please give a message to everyone waiting in Japan.

Yes, we were able to get through the first match, and it's really thanks to everyone's support. We will win one game at a time, so please continue to support us.

■ Match Video

https://www.youtube.com/live/EUiymu7jdq4?si=1MJSvuYho6Kk_SA5

■ Related Release

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000099.000101312.html

■ Tournament Overview

[Tournament Name] 2026 IBSA Goalball World Championships

[Tournament Period] Saturday, June 6, 2026 – Tuesday, June 16, 2026 *Matches are from Wednesday, June 10 to Monday, June 15

[Venue] Hangzhou, China

■ Upcoming Japan Match Schedule *Japan Time

Thursday, June 11

10:00 Women's: Japan vs. Ukraine

17:30 Men's: Japan vs. Finland

Friday, June 12

11:30 Women's: Japan vs. Canada

16:00 Men's: Japan vs. Poland

Saturday, June 13

16:00 Women's Quarterfinals

20:30 Men's Quarterfinals

Sunday, June 14

17:30 Women's Semifinals

19:00 Men's Semifinals

Monday, June 15

16:00 Women's 3rd Place Match

17:30 Men's 3rd Place Match

19:00 Women's Final

20:30 Men's Final