Announcement: Japan National Goalball Team Selection for the 2026 IBSA Goalball World Championships

Announcement: Japan National Goalball Team Selection for the 2026 IBSA Goalball World Championships

The Japan Goalball Association has officially announced the 'Orion Japan' national team that will compete in the 2026 IBSA Goalball World Championships, held in Hangzhou, China, from June 10th to 15th, 2026.

This tournament is of critical importance, as it acts as a qualifier for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games. The top two teams in both the men's and women's categories will secure their places at the Paralympics.

Furthermore, if qualified, this would mark the first time a Japanese team sport has secured a spot in the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.

'Orion Japan' is ready to challenge the world stage, aiming for the pinnacle of the sport and the coveted ticket to the Paralympics.

### Tournament Overview

- **Tournament Name**: 2026 IBSA Goalball World Championships - **Dates**: June 6 (Sat) – June 16 (Tue), 2026. *Matches run from June 10 (Wed) to June 15 (Mon). - **Location**: Hangzhou, China

### Team Roster & Staff

#### Men's Team

- **Captain**: Kazuya Kaneko (Sky KK) - **Vice-Captain**: Koji Miyajiki (COLOPL, Inc.) - **Players**: Yuji Taguchi (Unirita, Inc.), Haruki Torii (Nippon Koei Co., Ltd.* - *note: actual firm Japan Land Development Ltd.), Yuto Sano (Japan Land Development Ltd.), Keisuke Yukuhiro (PERSOL TEMPSTAFF CO., LTD.) - **Staff**: Head Coach: Rikiya Kudo, Assistant Coach: Ai Todo, Bench Staff: Ryoga Hayashi

#### Women's Team

- **Captain**: Rieko Takahashi (Sekisho Corporation) - **Vice-Captain**: Ayumi Kamiya (Nippon Sanso) - **Players**: Norika Hagiwara (Aso Humanys Center Co., Ltd.), Saki Amuro (SMBC Trust Bank Ltd.), Yui Kimura (PERSOL TEMPSTAFF CO., LTD.), Minami Arai (Aso Humanys Center Co., Ltd.) - **Staff**: Head Coach: Takahiro Tochigi, Assistant Coach: Mihoko Tsuji, Bench Staff: Kikuko Maeda

### Pool Groups

- **Men's**: - Pool Y includes: Japan, Poland, Finland, Argentina - **Women's**: - Pool A includes: Japan, Canada, Ukraine, Poland

### Schedule (Japan Time)

- **June 10 (Wed)** - 11:30 Women's: Japan vs. Poland - 16:00 Men's: Japan vs. Argentina - **June 11 (Thu)** - 10:00 Women's: Japan vs. Ukraine - 17:30 Men's: Japan vs. Finland - **June 12 (Fri)** - 11:30 Women's: Japan vs. Canada - 16:00 Men's: Japan vs. Poland