
Introducing the Teams
The 2026 European Blind Football Championship brings together 8 of the best international nations! Over six days of competition, in the heart of Europe in Strasbourg, discover the teams and athletes who will be electrifying the pitch this year.
Meeting the team
Blind football exists in Germany since 2006. In 2007 first participation in the 5th European Championship in Greece. Since then qualified for every European Championships up to now paired with two qualifications for the World Championship (2014, 2023).
In 2026 the team has a promising and balanced mix of very experienced players, players in their mid-twenties and promising talents under twenty. Headcoach since 2021 is Martin Mania (33 years of age). After the best result in a European championship in the last edition in Pescara 2022 (4th place), the team is looking to make the next step this year.
Milestones
2007: first participation in a major tournament (European Championship 2007)
2007: First Goal in the history of the German Nationalteam scored by Alexander Fangmann during a 1-3 loss to the Turkish Nationalteam (European Championship 2007).
Two Qualifications for the World Championship (2023 and 2014)
Best achievement: two times 4th place in the European Championship (2022, 2013)
Statistics
International caps/matches (as of April 2026): 152(61 wins, 30 draws, 61 losses, Goal difference: 191:164)
Player with most international caps (as of April 2026): Alexander Fangmann (124 games), Talme Kuttig (113 games)
Top Goalscorer (as of April 2026): Jonathan Tönsing (39 goals in 58 games), Taime Kuttig (38 goals in 113 games), Alexander Fangmann (35 goals in 124 games)
Major Tournament Placements up to now
WC 2023 (Birmingham, England): 11th of 16
EC 2022 (Pescara, Italy): 04th of 10
EC 2019 (Rome, Italy): 07th of 10
EC 20217 (Berlin, Germany): 06th of 10
EC 2015 (Hereford, England): 06th of 10
WC 2014 (Tokyo, Japan): 08th of 12
EC 2013 (Loano, Italy): 04th of 08
EC 2011 (Aksaray, Turkey): 08th of 08
EC 2009 (Nantes, France): 05th of 09
EC 2007 (Athens, Greece): 07th of 07
Meeting the team
The French Blind Football Team has established itself in recent years as one of the leading nations in the sport.
Paralympic champions at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the team relies on an experienced squad and a strong performance culture developed over time.
Regular contenders in major international competitions, France has won several European titles (3), earned a silver medal at London 2012, and consistently competes with top nations such as Brazil and Argentina.
Led by performance manager Charly Simo and head coach Toussaint Akpew, the team operates within a well-structured program, with high standards across technical and tactical execution, physical conditioning, and mental strength—essential in a discipline where everything relies on sound, spatial awareness, and collective trust.
Meeting the team
The first appearance of the Greek National Blind Football Team took place in 1997 at the 1st European Championship in Spain, where the Greek team won the silver medal, paving the way for the establishment and development of the sport in the country, with continuous participation in top international competitions.
A highlight of these successes was their participation in the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games, where they finished in 4th place.
Most recently, at the European Championship in Pescara 2022, the Greek team secured 6th place.
Meeting the team
The international journey of the Turkish National Blind Football Team began at the European Championship held in Greece in 2007. This tournament marked a significant milestone, providing the team with valuable international experience. Building on this foundation, the team qualified for the London 2012 Paralympic Games, establishing its place among the world’s top teams.
In 2013, the team secured its first major international medal by finishing third in Europe. This success was followed by an outstanding performance in 2015, when Türkiye became European Champions. Most recently, the team won the silver medal at the 2022 European Championship, once again demonstrating that it is among the leading teams in Europe.
The referees
