The IBSA Partially Sighted Football World Championships kick off today in Antalya, Turkey, with Ukraine aiming to retain the title it won in Italy two years ago.

Hosted by GESFED, the Turkish Blind Sports Federation, the championships have brought together seven of the best teams in the world – Turkey, Japan, Italy, England, Russia, Spain and reigning champions Ukraine.

The teams will meet in a round-robin legue in the first stage before moving on to the finals. 

Play begins today with the hosts taking on Japan, followed by Italy vs England at 15:00 local time and then Russia against Spain at 18:00. Ukraine rest before facing Turkey in tomorrow's opening game at 10:00.

Caption: Ukraine celebrates with the trophy after winning the 2017 world championships in Cagliari, Italy. 

Group stage match schedule

Saturday 7th December

10:00 Turkey vs Japan
15:00 Italy vs England
18:00 Spain vs Russia

Sunday 8th December

10:00 Turkey vs Ukraine
15:00 Spain vs Italy
18:00 Japan vs Russia

Monday 9th December

10:00 England vs Spain
15:00 Russia vs Ukraine
18:00 Italy vs Japan

Tuesday 10th December

10:00 Turkey vs Russia
15:00 Japan vs England
18:00 Ukraine vs Italy

Wednesday 11th December

10:00 Spain vs Japan
15:00 Italy vs Turkey
18:00 England vs Ukraine

Thursday 12th December

10:00 Russia vs Italy
15:00 Ukraine vs Spain
18:00 Turkey vs England

Friday 13th December

10:00 Japan vs Ukraine
15:00 England vs Russia
18:00 Spain vs Turkey

Saturday 14th December
 

10:00 5th-6th place play-off
15:00 3rd-4th place play-off
18:00 final

For more information on the 2019 IBSA Partially Sighted Football World Championships visit the event web site.

All matches will be streamed live on the GESFED Facebook page.

Caption (from left to right): Russia (3rd place), Ukraine (champions) and England (2nd place) pose for a photo with their medals at the 2017 championships in Italy.