CP Para Lions crowned world champions

The England cerebral palsy team are world champions!

The Para Lions won the IFCPF Men’s World Cup 2026, beating hosts, the USA, 2-1 in the final.

This followed on from group stage results which saw them beat Japan 5-0, Indonesia by 2-0 and Republic of Ireland to secure a quarter-final spot without conceding a goal.

England registered a 2-1 win in the quarter-final over the Netherlands and a 2-0 win over Brazil in the semi-final before going on to win the final.

USA 1-2 England (AET)
Sunday 25 October

In the early hours of Sunday morning, the Para Lions were crowned world champions, coming from behind to beat the USA 2-1 in the final.

The tournament, which was staged at U.S. Soccer National Training Centre just outside Atlanta, Georgia, culminated in a match up between England and the hosts, the USA.

After playing out a goalless first half, the USA struck from a corner kick with 56 minutes played.

With time ticking and three minutes of added time announced, England had just 180 seconds to find an equaliser.

From a short corner, Sam Dewhirst's low shot was kept out by the keeper. It came back out to Dewhirst who picked out David Porcher to finish with the outside of the boot and make it 1-1.

Into extra time and it didn't take the Para Lions long to flip the script and take the lead for the first time in the game.

Dewhirst was again involved as his effort was palmed into the path of Porcher who was in the right place at the right time to turn it around and score his second of the game.

The Para Lions then held on for the remainder of the additional time to take the title.

Brazil 0-2 England
Thursday 22 October 2026

The Para Lions are through to the World Cup Final after beating Brazil 2-0 at the semi-final stage.

Matt Crossen registered the first effort on target as England applied early pressure and a minute later, he was involved again, taking aim from the edge of the box to draw a save from the opposition keeper.

Later in the first half, Brazil came close to opening the scoring with an impressive passage of play before the Para Lions responded.

It was Crossen that made the breakthrough with 24 minutes on the clock with a clinical finish inside the box after the ball was knocked down by his teammate.

And Jack Rutter’s team could’ve added a second before the break after Ethan Day stung the palms of the keeper.

In the second half, substitute Cailen Beckford came close to scoring a spectacular solo effort before Dewhirst’s effort from close range was pushed onto the post by the keeper.

James Blackwell eventually doubled the Para Lions’ lead in the 45th minute, to put England on the brink of the World Cup final. And the Para Lions got the result over the line.

England 2-1 Netherlands (AET)
Tuesday 20 October 2026

England secured their place in the IFCPF World Cup semi-finals on Tuesday evening, following a tense quarter-final victory over the Netherlands in Atlanta.

After a 1-1 draw after regulation time, it took a goal from James Blackwell to win the game for Jack Rutter's side, who will now take on Brazil in the semi-final on Thursday evening (8.30pm BST)

The Para Lions made a dream start to the game, when Sam Dewhirst struck a low left-footer from the edge of the D to put England in front in just the second minute of the game.

But England couldn't build on their advantage as the Dutch team began to fight back before they eventually levelled the scores with less than ten minutes of the game remaining when captain Jeroen Schuitert headed home from a corner following a spell of sustained pressure.

That was enough to take the game to extra time, which consisted of a further two halves of ten minutes each.

And England restored their advantage just before the break, when James Blackwell took advantage from close range after David Porcher's free-kick had been saved by the Dutch 'keeper.

From there, the Para Lions were able to manage the game out and keep their opponents at bay to secure their spot in the semi-final against the South Americans.

England 7-0 Republic of Ireland
Sunday 18 October 2026

England finished their group stage with a perfect record, following their victory over Republic of Ireland on Sunday.

The Para Lions were in unstoppable form as they finished their first three games without conceding a goal, while David Porcher netted five.

Jack Rutter's team took just four minutes to open their account when Liam Irons picked out Harry Baker in the area to make it 1-0.

Porcher then got the first of his five successive strikes in the eighth minute with a close-range finish before making it 3-0 from distance shortly after following a lay-off from Sam Dewhirst.

Baker then teed Porcher up for his hat-trick before the break, with the striker dispatching a shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area to make it 4-0 at half time.

Three minutes after the restart Porcher was at it again with a low finish from just inside the box, before he found his fifth with a far-post header after a curling cross from Dewhirst.

Dewhirst then completed the scoring in the 52nd minute when he curled a low shot home from inside the area.

England 2-0 Indonesia
Friday 16 October 2026

England made it two wins from two games on Friday afternoon following a 2-0 victory over Indonesia in their second group game, which is enough to secure a place in the quarter-finals with a game to spare.

Following on from their opening-game win over Japan, the Para Lions built on their impressive start to the competition with two first-half goals proving enough to secure the victory.

The goals came early too as they took the lead Within five minutes, when Sam Dewhirst spotted the Indonesian 'keeper off his line before chipping a pinpoint shot from the left flank and into the far corner.

Less than ten minutes later, England doubled their lead when a flowing move ended with Matt Robinson played in down the right. His centre was diverted goalwards off the heel of a defender and crept home at the near post.

Indonesia rallied after the break as they looked to find a way back into the game, and England had to show their strength in defence to keep them at bay.

But with a two-goal advantage, Rutter's men were able to see out the game and also had a number of opportunities to extend their lead.

England 5-0 Japan
Thursday 15 October 2026

The Para Lions put in a five-star performance in their tournament opener against Japan.

Less than a minute after the first half hydration break, England took the lead when Matt Crossen’s effort was deflected into the path of Harry Baker who slotted home with 17 minutes played.

Substitute David Porcher doubled England’s lead in the second half after winning back possession in the middle of the park. He then raced through on goal before taking aim from the edge of the area and finding the back of the net.

Baker bagged his second and the Para Lions’ third of the contest in the second period and later in the half, Sam Dewhirst made it four and Porcher added a fifth – and his second – to cap off an impressive performance.