Men's World Championships Storylines to Watch

With the IFCPF Men’s World Championships starting next week, new chapters are set to be written.

For Kazakhstan, an international competitive debut awaits: the chance to represent their country on the international stage for the first time. Hard work years in the making, and the payoff is about to be realised.

For head coach Chingis Temerhanov, it’s a full-circle moment, having been part of the program right from its introduction to the IFCPF in 2017 to the present day.

“Cerebral palsy does not prevent us from being good players, excellent coaches, sports team managers, classifiers, doctors and masseurs in the future,” Temerhanov said when speaking to the IFCPF in 2017.

Now, his players will get their chance to show that.

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Italy’s third-consecutive IFCPF World Championships appearance presents a real opportunity for its first piece of silverware.

It came heartbreakingly close to bronze in Salou two years ago, leading Chile 4-3 heading into second-half stoppage time, before losing 6-4 after extra time.

For Italy stalwart Antonio Marigliano, it’s a moment that motivates him as the team heads to Loughborough.

“Two years ago, we finished the tournament in fourth place with a bitter taste in our mouths,” Marigliano explains.

“We’ve been waiting for this moment to come for a long time to get back in the game, which is something we care so much about.”

It’s a new era for Italian CP Football too, with the team to compete under the FIGC banner for the first time, with the partnership confirmed earlier this year.

“This is the first year we will be a part of the FIGC, and it was exciting to wear the shirt every child dreams of. I hope it will give the movement a boost.

“The movement has certainly grown in recent years, with new and young players coming in who can give a lot to the team.

The aspiration to win is obvious for Marigliano, but it’s not the only thing he is focusing on ahead of Italy’s opener against Kazakhstan on October 19.

“It would certainly be a wonderful achievement; winning would be the dream of all of us who work so hard on ourselves.

“Even if we don’t win the tournament, it will still be a success for us because wearing the jersey of your country gives us a unique feeling.

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CP Soccer US showed the world what they were all about at the 2025 IFCPF Copa América in Uruguay, and another tournament beckons for the next crop of American stars.

The team has squared off against some of the best in the world. Now, they know what it takes.

“The opportunity for the players is that they start to believe because they actually have a realistic frame of reference,” coach Peter McGahey says.

“They are able to see their skills and qualities and how their competencies may translate directly with the [United States] national team.

“I am really excited to look at and see how some of the younger players in Uruguay now have learned, applied and grown, and now have another opportunity to show that.”

The squad CP Soccer US took to Uruguay was youthful, with several teenagers gaining crucial exposure to playing at the highest level.

They are in a unique position, with a chance to improve as players and mature as people.

“We want the players to grow as people and as players, so they are better not years from now, but the next day.

“We want to go out to try to do well. We know the challenge is going to be big, and I think it’s a place where we are going to approach that humbly.

“If we grow from game one to game five, I think we are going to put ourselves in a place to represent ourselves in a very good way.”

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The IFCPF Men’s Euros and IFCPF Women’s Intercontinental Cup had the chance to leave a legacy. The creation of the Loughborough Para Football team is evidence of that.

According to the team, around 10 players have been training regularly at the university since its foundation, with the team preparing to join the National CP Football League in September following their four friendly matches.

The first of those will be against Italy on August 18.

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