Arabic version: باراماتيلداس تستهدف الدفاع عن لقب كأس العالم في أتلانتا

According to ABC News, the ParaMatildas will attempt to defend their IFCPF Women’s World Cup title in Atlanta after becoming Australia’s first winners of a round-ball World Cup in Spain in 2024.

Australia’s women’s cerebral palsy football side officially launched in 2022 and will enter only the third edition of the Women’s World Cup. The Atlanta event is the first women’s tournament held outside Spain. The ParaMatildas begin their group campaign against Ireland on Saturday morning before matches against the Netherlands and tournament newcomers Colombia.

Coach Charlotte Ercil said the team was prepared for heightened expectations. “I think it adds a little bit of pressure, but it’s exciting at the same time,” she told ABC Sport. “But we always prepare like every game, including our first group game, is the World Cup final.”

The ParaMatildas lost the 2022 final to the United States before beating the Americans in the 2024 decider. Central defender Eloise Northam, preparing for her third IFCPF Women’s World Cup, said the hosts would be motivated to reclaim the title. Australia is also preparing for evolving opponents, summer temperatures and the prospect of severe thunderstorms.

The concurrently running men’s competition will see the Pararoos pursue a first top-10 finish. Their group includes Brazil, Spain and Chile, with Australia opening against Brazil on Friday. Eleven of the 14 selected Pararoos have previous World Cup experience, while captain David Barber is set to surpass Andorra’s Ildefons Lima for the longest international football career by a male player when he takes the field.