Italy crowned champions as World Championships conclude

Italy are the 2026 IFCPF World Championships champions, defeating CP Soccer US 3-1 in the tournament’s decider at Loughborough University on Sunday.

Simon Xanina’s quick double meant the Italians raced to a 2-0 lead, and while Jackson Ruscitti halved the deficit from close range, Federico Lovascio sealed the result in the second half.

An already historic week for the team ended with silverware. A first tournament under the FIGC banner has a trophy to show for it.

“We [have been] working hard for five years,” Player of the Match Davide Brocca said when speaking after the win.

“This is the first tournament with our federation, and it is fantastic to reach and to achieve this objective.”

It was a statement for Italian CP Football as it eyes a return to the regional stage, with the team not having featured at the European Championships since they hosted the continent in 2023.

Playing under a new banner and doing so in style, it’s a new-look program in more ways than one.

For CP Soccer US, the team fell just short of what would have been a momentous tournament victory, but lessons were learned on and off the pitch.

A trip to Molineux, the home of Wolverhampton Wanderers, became the source of inspiration.

“They have a quote on their wall before they walk out,” midfielder Landon Brown explained when speaking after his side’s semi-final success over Kazakhstan.

“It’s the same quote that our coach Peter McGahey, told us before the game; he said, ‘the strength of the pack is in the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is in the pack.’

“We have tried to embody that throughout this whole week; there have been seven guys on the field, but we are a team of 14.

“Everybody contributes.”

Kazakhstan sealed third place at its first tournament, defeating hosts Loughborough Para Football 7-2, with thanks to six goals from Aldamir Amantaev.

Regarded as one of the best players across the week, Amantaev was scintillating when it mattered. He could have been forgiven for basking in the glory and calling it a day.

That’s not who he is, as evidenced when he spoke about what is next for CP Football in Kazakhstan.

“Keep pushing, keep going, and keep improving.” 

The mindset of a ruthless competitor, and something for the program to build from.

For Loughborough Para Football, preparations ahead of its entry in the Cerebral Palsy National League could hardly have been better, despite failing to record a win at the tournament.

Enlisting the help of Japanese women’s national team star Mayuko Kaiga and Belgium’s Jordy Broux, alongside local talent, they scored four times across the tournament, while continuing the legacy from the IFCPF Men’s Euros and Women’s Intercontinental Cup held last year.

Tournament standings

1. Italy

2. CP Soccer US

3. Kazakhstan

4. Loughborough Para Football

Photo credit: Taylor Byron