Blind football
Blind football is five-a-side: four outfield players and a goalkeeper, over two 20-minute halves, with a ball that makes a noise. Outfield players wear eye patches and eyeshades; the goalkeeper may be sighted. Kickboards form the touchlines, so the ball stays in play off them.
Checked 20 October 2026
New to blind football? Start here
How long
Two halves of 20 minutes on a stopping clock
Lengths are from the rule book.
The big events, and why they matter
- 1Paralympic Games (football 5-a-side)The top title in blind football.Every 4 years · Holder: France beat Argentina on penalties
- 2IBSA Blind Football World ChampionshipsThe sport's own world title.Every 4 years (to check) · Holder: Women 2025, Kakkanad: Argentina beat England…
- 3Asian Para Games (blind football)Asia's para multi-sport title, held after the Asian Games in the same city.Every 4 years · Holder: 22 sports, 501 events
India
India has no medal at the Paralympic Games or in the saved World Championships results [the two pages].
- Football 5-a-side at the Paralympic Games: No medal
- IBSA Blind Football World Championships: No medal in the saved results
Countries to know
India and the nations that have done best, biggest titles first.
- BrazilFootball 5-a-side at the Paralympic Games: 5 golds, 1 bronze (latest 2024); IBSA Blind Football World Championships: 5 golds, 1 silver, 2 bronzes (latest 2023)
- ArgentinaFootball 5-a-side at the Paralympic Games: 3 silvers, 2 bronzes (latest 2024); IBSA Blind Football World Championships: 5 golds, 4 silvers (latest 2025)
- UkraineIBSA Blind Football World Championships: 5 golds, 3 silvers (latest 2023)
- BelarusIBSA Blind Football World Championships: 5 golds, 1 silver (latest 2011)
Who runs it
| Rules made by | International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA), Blind Football Laws of the Game 2025-2029 |
| International federation | IBSA |
| In India | Indian Blind Football Federation (IBFF), set up in 2016, affiliated to the Indian Blind Sports Association and working under the aegis of the PCI |
Where and when it is played
On a pitch 38 to 42 metres long and 20 metres wide, walled by kickboards. The big events: the Paralympic Games every four years (football 5-a-side, men) and the IBSA Blind Football World Championships.