IBSA announced updated Rio 2016 qualification process for football 5

The International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) have announced how the remaining slots for the football 5-a-side competition at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games will be awarded.

The decision corresponds with the IPC’s qualification criteria for the tournament, the final standings at the 2014 IBSA Blind Football World Championships and the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games.

At the World Championships last November, Brazil defeated Argentina 1-0 for the gold medal. With Brazil already automatically qualified as the host nation, Argentina earned the spot for Rio 2016.

The two recently met at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games in August, with Brazil emerging victorious, again, 2-1. Thus, the Paralympic berth was awarded to Mexico, who defeated Colombia in a penalty shootout for the bronze medal.

The remaining five spots will be awarded to the highest ranking teams at the following events:

- IBSA Blind Football European Championships (Hereford, Great Britain) – 22-29 August: two team slots

- IBSA Blind Football Asian Championships (Tokyo, Japan) – 30 August – 8 September: two team slots

- IBSA Blind Football African Championships (Douala, Cameroon) – 16-25 October: one team slot