FIFA Toolkit Expands Global Disability Football Access

Author: Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)
Published: 2025/10/17
Publication Type: Sports, Sporting Updates
Category Topic: Disability Football Information - Academic Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates

Synopsis: This information outlines FIFA's comprehensive toolkit designed to support disability football globally, addressing a critical gap in sporting access for the 1.3 billion people worldwide experiencing some form of disability. The resource is valuable because it provides practical, actionable guidance across three key areas—understanding disability, exploring various football formats including cerebral palsy football, blind football, and powerchair football, and implementing region-specific growth strategies—making it immediately useful for member associations, disability sports organizations, and communities seeking to expand inclusive football programs.

For disabled people, seniors with mobility limitations, and those managing neurological conditions, this toolkit represents a tangible pathway to participate in sport while gaining documented benefits including improved physical fitness, stronger mental health outcomes, and meaningful social connection. By consolidating best practices and facilitating knowledge-sharing among stakeholders worldwide, the toolkit addresses the documented reality that disabled people remain significantly less physically active than their non-disabled peers, positioning football as an accessible vehicle for addressing this health equity gap - Disabled World (DW).

Introduction

One of FIFA's key missions as world football's governing body is to promote inclusion for all in the game, including disabled people and people with limited mobility. As part of this commitment, FIFA has published an extensive guide to disability football to encourage and support its growth around the world and to provide more opportunities for people to take part in this form of the beautiful game.

Main Content

The FIFA Disability Football Toolkit, compiled by FIFA's Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Department, provides an understanding of the basic principles of disability football and the various formats and disciplines that may be implemented by member associations (MAs) and other relevant stakeholders.

"Football unites the world, and FIFA's role is to be a vehicle for social inclusion and economic development across the planet. This includes the development of all disciplines of disability football," said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. "Indeed, in many parts of the world, there is still a lack of opportunity for disabled people to play and enjoy football, and this is why FIFA is constantly working to ensure that all disabled people have the opportunity to play football, no matter where they come from or where they live."

The toolkit aims to support increased participation in disability football through programmes and competitions organised by the confederations, MAs, international disability football federations and other key stakeholders. It also looks to share knowledge, celebrate best practices and accelerate collective action.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1.3 billion people, or 16% of the world's population, experience some form of disability, with that number likely to increase. Participation in sport for disabled people is highly beneficial for their physical health and promotes their social inclusion, mental well‑being and personal development. However, they are significantly more likely to be physically inactive compared to non-disabled people. For example, fewer than 20% of people with acquired neurological damage practise the levels of physical activity recommended by WHO and more than 50% of individuals with spinal cord injuries are physically inactive.

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Expanding participation in disability football is crucial for building a more inclusive and equitable sporting culture. It allows people with disabilities to benefit from improved fitness, enhanced mental health and greater social integration. It also helps to break down barriers and challenge stereotypes, contributing to a broader cultural shift towards the acceptance and inclusion of disabled people.

Around the world, there are various disciplines and formats offering opportunities for disabled people to play football. In countries where disability football is more established, these opportunities have mostly been made available by civil society organisations seeking to include disabled people in football.

The toolkit consists of three main sections. The first provides guidance on understanding disability; the second focuses on disability football and gives details about the various types, such as cerebral palsy football, blind football and powerchair football; and finally, there is a step-by-step plan on how to grow disability football according to specific circumstances in the relevant region.

There are now more opportunities than ever for disabled people to get involved in football. FIFA recognises that many MAs and other relevant stakeholders already have good policies, procedures, initiatives and training programmes in place, and the toolkit serves as the next milestone to continue this work.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and published on 2025/10/17, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.