England CP team learn their fate in World Cup draw

England have been drawn to play Brazil, Canada and Japan at the 2024 Cerebral Palsy World Cup in Spain later this year.

The Para Lions, who finished as runners-up at last year's European Championships, are in Group B, with the top two sides progressing to the quarter-finals.

Andy Smith's side were seeded in Pot 2 for the draw, with Brazil their opponents from Pot 1. The Canadians followed from Pot C and Japan were pulled out of Pot 4.

Smith said: "We have found ourselves in the really tough side of the draw. We have Brazil in our group stages and we are also on the same side of draw as the World and European Champions in Ukraine so winning the group will be key and what we aim to do. 

"We also have games against Canada and Japan, who will relish the opportunity to qualify for the last eight."

The competition begins on Wednesday 6 November in Salou.

A series of matches will be played to establish the finishing position of every team regardless of their progress, with England aiming to improve on their finish of sixth at the last World Cup in 2022.

Defending champions Ukraine – who beat the Para Lions in the EURO final last year – are in Group A.

The draw is in full below.

Group A: Ukraine, Argentina, Spain, TBD

Group B: Brazil, England, Canada, Japan

Group C: United States of America, Netherlands, Australia, Thailand

Group D: Iran, Ireland, Venezuela, Germany