England Blind Men's team reach IBSA Nations Cup 2025 final

The England men’s Blind squad have reached the final of the IBSA Nations Cup in India.

The Para Lions will face Iran on Wednesday 1 October (12.30pm BST kick-off) for a chance to win the tournament, which serves as preparation for next year's European Championships.

England – who travelled to India for the tournament, which is being staged at the United Sports Centre in Kakkanad in Kochi between 25 September and 1 October – kick-started their campaign with a 6-0 win over the Korean Republic and put in a dominant display in their opening game.

Adam Bendall’s team went into the break a goal to the good courtesy of Roy Turnham who broke the deadlock.

And there were a flurry of goals in the second period as Eesa Amjid doubled England’s advantage before Turnham added his second and the Para Lions’ third of the game.

Oliver Johnson made it four before Amjid bagged a brace and Rainbow Mbguani put the icing on the cake to cap off an impressive performance and make it six.

On day two, the Para Lions were held to a 0-0 draw by Iran in an entertaining game with both goalkeepers proving their worth with a series of saves throughout.

Saturday morning saw England back in action with their third game, when a goal from Efe Shimwell proved to be the winner against Italy.

With the hosts in opposition on Sunday evening, England found themselves a goal down against India before goals from Shimwell and Turnham put the Para Lions 2-1 up at the break. And Amjid added a third after half time to seal a third win from four games. 

And after beating Poland 2-0, with both goals scored by Shimwell, the Para Lions advanced to the final of the competition.

Games are being streamed live by IBSA here.

See the Para Lions’ ten-man squad for IBSA Nations Cup.