Liberia’s national men’s amputee football team is once again set to represent the nation on the global stage, as preparations begin for the 2026 Amputee Football World Cup, scheduled for July 31 to August 9 in Costa Rica. With the world’s top amputee teams expected to compete, the tournament stands as the sport’s highest level of competition, and Liberia is heading into it with ambition, history, and pride.
Held every four years by the World Amputee Football Federation (WAFF), the World Cup is more than just a tournament, it is a celebration of resilience, skill, and the power of sports to break barriers. Teams from across five continents will gather in Costa Rica, including seven African nations that have already secured qualification: Liberia, Morocco, Nigeria, Angola, Ghana, Algeria, and Egypt.
For Liberia, this is more than just another campaign. It is a continuation of a legacy that began with humble beginnings and has since grown into one of Africa’s most consistent forces in amputee football.
The Liberian Amputee Football Team is no stranger to success. Over the years, they have carved out a name for themselves as a continental powerhouse, having won the Africa Amputee Cup three times, in 2008, 2011, and 2013. They have also competed at the World Cup level before, including the 2022 edition in Istanbul, Turkey.
In that tournament, Liberia found themselves in Group A alongside global giants, including the eventual champions Turkey. Despite two losses, 4-1 to Haiti and 5-0 to Turkey, the team earned international respect with a stunning 4-0 victory over France, a historic win that reminded the world of their potential.
Their resilience and ability to rise from setbacks is a trait deeply woven into the team’s identity, and one that continues to inspire fans back home.
The 2026 tournament will mark a new chapter for amputee football globally, with the FIFA Foundation stepping in to support the event in collaboration with WAFF. This partnership reflects growing international recognition of amputee football’s impact, not just as a sport, but as a force for inclusion and empowerment.
With FIFA’s involvement, the infrastructure, visibility, and reach of the 2026 World Cup are expected to surpass previous editions. This means more exposure for teams like Liberia and more opportunities to showcase the incredible talent within the amputee football community.
Qualification for the World Cup spans multiple regions, with teams earning their places through competitive tournaments. While Africa and Europe have completed their qualifiers, events in North America, South America, Central America, and Asia are set to take place later this year.
This global spread underlines how far amputee football has come, from grassroots programs to international arenas filled with fans, cameras, and dreams.
As Liberia prepares to join this global gathering, expectations are high, not only to perform but to inspire. The team’s passion, discipline, and history of resilience continue to resonate far beyond the football pitch.
The 2026 WAFF Amputee Football World Cup won’t just be about winning matches. It will be about rewriting narratives, celebrating human strength, and proving once again that limitation is not the opposite of ability, it’s the spark that ignites greatness.
Liberia’s players are training with that in mind. And come July 2026, they plan to show the world exactly what they’re made of.
