Ireland to Compete in Atlanta World Cup
The Ireland Men's and Women's Cerebral Palsy squads will begin tournament play in Atlanta on October 14, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Soccer
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Ireland's national men's and women's Cerebral Palsy football squads travel to Atlanta, Georgia, to compete in the 2026 IFCPF World Cup beginning on October 14, 2026. Both teams have finalized their rosters following preparations at the FAI National Training Centre.
Why it matters
The tournament serves as the pinnacle event for athletes competing under the International Federation of Cerebral Palsy Football. Participation provides Irish athletes the chance to compete against global opponents after a period of intensive team training.
The Irish men's squad features nine players with previous World Cup experience, while the women's team returns seven players from their bronze-medal winning side in Spain.
The players
International Federation of Cerebral Palsy Football
This is the global governing body responsible for organizing and regulating football tournaments for athletes with cerebral palsy.
FAI National Training Centre
This facility serves as the primary training hub for Ireland's national football teams to prepare for major international competitions.
The details
The men's squad competes in Group C against Indonesia, Japan, and England, while the women's side is placed in Group B alongside Australia, the Netherlands, and Colombia. Preparation for the international event took place at the FAI National Training Centre.
Timeline
The 2026 IFCPF World Cup tournament begins in Atlanta on October 14, 2026.
Ireland men play Indonesia men on October 15, 2026.
Ireland women play Australia and Ireland men play Japan on October 16, 2026.
Ireland women play the Netherlands on October 17, 2026.
Ireland men play England on October 18, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The tournament marks a significant evolution in international competition following the previous IFCPF World Cup in Spain. By returning veteran players to the pitch, Ireland aims to maintain the momentum established during their successful bronze-medal performance in that last campaign.
The Irish men's and women's teams will navigate a busy group stage schedule starting on October 15, which will determine their path to the knockout rounds. Fans can track progress as the squads play back-to-back group matches through October 18.
The takeaway
Competing in a global tournament requires balancing experienced veterans with tactical match preparation. Irish supporters can monitor how these rosters perform against their diverse group-stage opponents in the coming days.
Further reading
For more on international match coverage, visit Soccer.
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