The groups for blind football at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will be drawn on Saturday (25 May) as teams prepare to play for glory at the 2024 IBSA Blind Football World Grand Prix in Schiltigheim, France.

Brazil, Argentina, Morocco, France, China, Japan, Colombia and Turkiye will be drawn in two groups of four for the Paralympics as part of the opening ceremony for the World Grand Prix.

The draw will be shown live on the IBSA Blind Football website in French and English: https://blindfootball.sport/watch-live-blind-football/

The official ball for Paris 2024 will also be presented.

Brazil are the current Paralympic champions having won every edition since the sport’s debut at Athens 2004.

However since Brazil’s last victory at Tokyo 2020 Argentina have challenged their dominance, taking both the world and Americas titles.

Argentina have earned two silver and two bronze medals at the Paralympics, while Paris 2024 hosts France and Asian champions China have earned one silver apiece.

African title-holders Morocco became the first side from the region to land on the podium at Tokyo 2020, claiming an historic bronze.

Turkiye secured their place at Paris 2024 by landing in the final at the 2022 European Championships.

As part as the draw, IBSA President Ilgar Rahimov and Chair of the IBSA Blind Football Committee, Elias Mastoras, will give speeches looking towards the Paralympic Games before picking the teams, watched by representatives from Paris 2024.

“Things are heating-up with less than 100 days to go to the Paralympics,” Mastoras said. “The draw is one of the most exciting last steps to take at the end of a long and fast-paced journey for teams. What better place to do it than right before seven of the eight qualified teams for Paris 2024 line-up to play each other in the perfect preview for what we know will be a great summer in front of the Eiffel Tower.”

The World Grand Prix gets underway on 26 May with group stages taking place ahead of knock-out stages and final on 1 June.

Blind football at the Paralympics takes place from 1-7 September. Tickets are available at https://tickets.paris2024.org/