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Paris 2024 blind football draw: Results
Date: May 25, 2024
Category: Football
The draw for blind football at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games took place in Schiltigheim, France, on Saturday (25 May).
Eight of the world’s best teams – Brazil, Argentina, Morocco, France, China, Japan, Colombia and Turkiye – were drawn into two groups and then by position in the groups by International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) President, Ilgar Rahimov, players from each of competing teams, Julian Zelala, the ‘father’ of blind football in France, and various local partners.
IBSA Blind Football Chairperson Elias Mastoras delivered a speech in which he encouraged people to buy tickets for Paris 2024. Mastoras stated that tickets, in particular for medal matches, has nearly sold out. Paris 2024 Football and Blind Football Sport Manager Ludovic Heurley was also present.
In group A, already being called the ‘group of death’, undefeated Paralympic champions Brazil will face European champions France, Asian champions China and Euros silver medallists Turkiye.
Current world and Americas champions – and four-time Paralympic podium finishers – Argentina will take on African champions and Tokyo 2020 bronze medallists Morocco, Paralympic debutants Colombia and Tokyo 2020 hosts Japan in Group B.
| Group A | Group B |
| A1 France | B1 Japan |
| A2 China | B2 Colombia |
| A3 Brazil | B3 Morocco |
| A4 Turkiye | B4 Argentina |
Rahimov said: “At Paris 2024 we will witness the convergence of the world’s foremost talent in blind football. Paris is calling us from a distance of several 100 kilometres and just shy of three months away. Each day brings us closer to the pinnacle of sporting excellence – the Paralympic Games in Paris.
“I am confident these Games will etch themselves into our memories with their fiercely contested matches against the backdrop of the iconic Eiffel Tower.”
The draw was held as part of the Opening Ceremony for the IBSA Blind Football World Grand Prix, which is set to get underway on Sunday and will feature seven of the qualified teams for Paris 2024.
The official ball for Paris 2024 was also unveiled during the draw, joining the festivities in Schiltigheim.
Blind football at the Paralympics takes place from 1-7 September in front of one of Paris’s most iconic landmarks – the Eiffel Tower.
Tickets are available at https://tickets.paris2024.org/
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