World Cup fails to showcase adaptive soccer for disabled athletes
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 18, 2026, 5:59 PM
Last updated Jul 18, 2026
The World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, has not provided a platform for adaptive soccer despite calls from advocates. Athletes like Nico Calabria envisioned demonstration opportunities for disabled soccer, but no significant events occurred during the tournament. A Blind Soccer tournament took place in Seattle prior to the World Cup, but advocates express disappointment over missed marketing prospects for adaptive sports. The World Cup will conclude on July 19 as Argentina faces Spain at MetLife Stadium.
- •Nico Calabria calls the situation a 'huge missed opportunity.'
- •Only a Blind Soccer tournament was held before the World Cup.
- •Adaptive soccer advocates hoped for exhibition matches and awareness programs.
- •The World Cup final is set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium.
- •Riley Johnson noted most people are unaware of Power Soccer.
- 5:59 PMYahoo Sports — World Cup misses 'huge opportunity' with powerful global stage
"The World Cup stage sparked hopes of increasing the visiblity of adaptive soccer for disabled athletes but those hopes failed to materialize.
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