England CP Para Lions take the win and bring home their first World Cup trophy
England took a strong win against the United States 2-1 in the thrilling world cup final on the 25th of October 2026.
After a strong and promising group stage process, England gained a spot in the IFCPS finals where they faced the USA. In the finals, which took place on the early hours of Sunday the 25th of October, England had not managed to score a goal during the first half, but during the 56th minute the USA was awarded a corner kick which led England to take a 1-0 win. With time ticking, three minutes of extra time was added.
England only had a few minutes to find an equaliser, and they did. With more extra time added, England did not take time to gain full control of the game. For the first time in this match, Sam Dewhirst (goal scorer from the first goal), managed to gain control and pass it to his teammate Porcher who scored the second goal leading England to become first time world champions.
What is CP football?
Cerebral Palsy Football is an adapted form of Football for athletes with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury or stroke symptoms. Teams are played with seven players per side on the pitch with a total of 14 players on the team list. Match durations are two 30 minute halves with a 15 minutes halftime break. The offside rule does not exist which provides a more fast paced game. The pitch is a smaller sized pitch of 75mx55m with smaller goals than standard.11-a-side football. Throw-ins are typically done using one hand or by rolling the ball into play; a common way athletes with arm impairment hit the ball is permitted to ensure fair competition. All players must be able to move un-aided and are grouped into free sport classifications based on the severity of the neurological impairment.
FT1 athletes with the most significant actively limitations
FT2 athletes with moderate impairment
FT free athletes with minimal impairment
Rules say that each team must have at least one athlete whose FT1 on the pitch at all times and no more than one FT free player on the pitch any time.
History
The sport debuted internationally in 1978 and joined the Power Olympic Games in 1984. It was featured in the Paralympics for the Rio 2016 games before transforming to an independent global championships at a regional event managed by the IFCPF. The
Women’s CP Football expanded following the real games, leading to their first ever IFCPF Women’s World Cup in 2022.
The game continues to grow and receive recognition, as the world of disability sports progresses. England winning their first ever CP World Cup shows the process of recognition, and that there is so many more exciting competitions to come.
Article written by Nailah Gajia
