Amputee Soccer 'Leopin Cup 2026': Able-bodied Players Join the Field
On May 23, 2026, the 11th Leopin Cup Copa Amputee, a national amputee soccer tournament supported by SSK/hummel, kicked off at Tsurumi Ryokuchi Ball Game Field in Osaka. Able-bodied individuals are allowed to participate as 'non-amputee players' to promote and strengthen disability sports. The Japan national team has already qualified for the World Cup in November.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 24, 2026 at 05:11
- 🔍 Collected: May 23, 2026 at 20:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 23, 2026 at 20:35 (3 min after Collected)
On May 23, the 11th 'Leopin Cup Copa Amputee,' a national amputee soccer tournament supplied by SSK/hummel (with special sponsorship from Wakunaga Pharmaceutical), kicked off. Six matches were played at Tsurumi Ryokuchi Ball Game Field in Osaka. Five more matches are scheduled for tomorrow, May 24, starting at 10:00.
Amputee Soccer's World Cup Year
Amputee soccer is a version of the sport primarily for people with lower or upper limb amputations, which started in Japan in 2010. This year is a World Cup year for amputee soccer, just like for men's professional soccer, with the 'WAFF 2026 World Cup' set to take place in Mexico in November. The Japan national team has qualified for its sixth consecutive appearance.
Along with the autumn Japanese National Championships, the spring Leopin Cup is a major tournament for amputee soccer. Six teams have entered this tournament. While the number of players remains below 100, the Leopin Cup allows able-bodied people to play while keeping one leg lifted. This is the third time this approach has been taken, with soccer-experienced individuals, such as team staff, playing as 'non-amputee players.'
The opening match was won by the local team, Kansai Set Estrella. In their second match against Chiba, which was a tough game with only 60 minutes between matches, they conceded the first goal but managed to catch up in the second half for a draw. Captain Kenta Kawanishi commented: 'Personally, my form is good, but the team still has room for improvement. However, although it was a 4-a-side game (this tournament is 7-a-side), we defeated FC Auvorada, who had been on a 7-game winning streak in the Leopin Cup, in February. I will do my best so the team can win tomorrow.'
On the second day, May 24, the first semi-final kicks off at 10:00. A total of 5 matches, including placement matches and the final, will be played. Admission is free. The tournament is also being live-streamed on Yomiuri TV's 'Athlete Channel.'
Amputee Soccer's World Cup Year
Amputee soccer is a version of the sport primarily for people with lower or upper limb amputations, which started in Japan in 2010. This year is a World Cup year for amputee soccer, just like for men's professional soccer, with the 'WAFF 2026 World Cup' set to take place in Mexico in November. The Japan national team has qualified for its sixth consecutive appearance.
Along with the autumn Japanese National Championships, the spring Leopin Cup is a major tournament for amputee soccer. Six teams have entered this tournament. While the number of players remains below 100, the Leopin Cup allows able-bodied people to play while keeping one leg lifted. This is the third time this approach has been taken, with soccer-experienced individuals, such as team staff, playing as 'non-amputee players.'
The opening match was won by the local team, Kansai Set Estrella. In their second match against Chiba, which was a tough game with only 60 minutes between matches, they conceded the first goal but managed to catch up in the second half for a draw. Captain Kenta Kawanishi commented: 'Personally, my form is good, but the team still has room for improvement. However, although it was a 4-a-side game (this tournament is 7-a-side), we defeated FC Auvorada, who had been on a 7-game winning streak in the Leopin Cup, in February. I will do my best so the team can win tomorrow.'
On the second day, May 24, the first semi-final kicks off at 10:00. A total of 5 matches, including placement matches and the final, will be played. Admission is free. The tournament is also being live-streamed on Yomiuri TV's 'Athlete Channel.'
FAQ
レオピン杯Copa Amputeeとはどのような大会ですか？
下肢や上肢に切断障がいのある人々がプレーする「アンプティサッカー」の全国大会です。今大会は第11回目となり、障がい者スポーツの普及を目指しています。
健常者もレオピン杯でプレーできますか？
はい、レオピン杯では今回で3回目の試みとして、健常者が片足を上げたままプレーする「ノンアンプティ選手」としての参加が認められています。
日本代表のアンプティサッカーW杯出場について教えてください。
11月にメキシコで開催される「WAFF 2026年ワールドカップ」に、日本代表は6大会連続6回目の出場が決定しています。
大会の試合の様子はどこで見られますか？
読売テレビの「あすリートチャンネル」にてライブ配信が行われています。
今大会はいつどこで開催されていますか？
2026年5月23日・24日の両日、大阪市の花博記念公園 鶴見緑地球技場で開催されています。