Blind football

Every football match is played between two teams with four blind athletes and one sighted or vision impaired goalkeeper on the field as well as up to five substitutes (four blind athletes and one sighted or vision impaired goalkeeper). Additionally, each team has a guide behind the opponent’s goal to direct the players when they shoot.

A football match lasts 30 minutes with two halves of 15 minutes each and a 10-minute half time in between. The winning team is the one that scores the most goals during a match.

A men’s eight team tournament is run at the Paralympic Games.

Blind football is open to athletes with a vision impairment. Athletes are required to submit medical reports and meet the minimum impairment criteria in order to compete. Eligibility is determined by trained Classifiers.

For more information on Eligible Impairments and Classification please see the Blind Football Information Sheet (PDF) – updated May 2024.

The ball is made of leather or special synthetic material. It is a size 3 ball with a circumference of 60-62 cm and it has a low bounce and an internal sound device so the athletes can hear it.

The athletes of a team are obliged to wear the same kit (uniform), which consists of a shirt, a pair of shorts and socks. The colour of the goalkeeper’s uniform must be different from those of their teammates, as well as from those of the referees.

Special protective pads made of plastic or another soft material which are placed inside the athlete’s socks to protect their shins.

Football/soccer shoes with small rubber studs suitable for use on synthetic grass which aid the athlete’s movement on the ground.

Special gloves which help the goalkeeper in stopping the ball and preventing the scoring of a goal, while protecting their hands.

The athletes who are inside the field of play, with the exception of the goalkeeper, wear blindfolds or a mask to ensure equality among the players.