Before everything else, Argentina and China will play for the world title after defeating their opponents in the semi-finals this Wednesday, Colombia and Brazil, respectively. The final will be played this Friday to close the Men’s Blind Football World Championship, part of the 2023 IBSA World Games that are taking place in Birminghan.

After the regular time and with a draw on the score (0-2), the decision had to be taken in penalty shots, and the Chinese squad was way more happier than the green and yellow team. 2-1 for the Asian country sealed their way to the final, to meet Argentina.

In the meantime, Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia have secured their qualifications for Paris 2024. Just by being semi-finalists in the referred competition, the three South American teams are confirmed for the next edition of the Paralympic Games.

According to the criteria in the Road to Paris, the first three teams of the World Championship have direct access to the biggest Paralympic competition in the world. China was also in the semi-finals, but it already got its qualification once it was the winner of the 2022 IBSA Blind Football Asia/Pacific Championships, which took place last November in the city of Kochi, India.

Neverthless, although the qualification of three South American teams is already assured, the Road to Paris has another important stop this November. The Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile, will determine the American champion, who will also take a slot in Paris 2024. If the winner is one of the three already qualified teams mentioned (Argentina, Brazil, or Colombia), then the fifth place in the 2023 IBSA World Games also gives access to Paris 2024.

Check out the results of Day 10 and the schedule for tomorrow (CEST, UK time -1):

Wednesday, August 23rd
Match G
Italy vs Iran: 1-1 (2-3p)
Match H
Japan vs France: 0-2
SF1
Argentina vs Colombia: 3-1
SF2
China vs Brazil: 0-0 (2-0p)
Thursday, August 24th
11th place
1.30pm – Germany vs Spain
9th place
3.30pm – Thailand vs Morocco
15th place
5.30pm – Turkiye vs Mali
13th place
7.30pm – England vs Mexico