Helm become first Egyptian team to win global disability football championship

Helm have won the global football championship for people with disabilities in the United States, becoming the first Egyptian team to lift the trophy in the competition’s history.

The landmark victory came on their debut, with Helm beating Andorra 2-1 in the final. Their run to the title also included victories over Spain, Turkey, Costa Rica and Iceland.

The tournament featured teams from 53 countries, making the achievement Egypt’s first participation in the competition particularly significant. Helm were selected to represent their country in what became a historic campaign.

The squad consisted of 12 players nine men and three women from different governorates across Egypt. The players included people with intellectual disabilities and neurodevelopmental disorders, including Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities.

They were chosen through an assessment process that considered more than sporting ability. Team spirit, commitment, leadership and the players’ capacity to represent Egypt as ambassadors for inclusion were also central to the selection.

Helm’s success is the result of more than 15 years of work focused on empowering people with disabilities and creating genuine opportunities for them to participate, succeed and excel.

The organisation said the championship represents the beginning of a new phase in its sporting development. It is working towards launching a sustainable sports programme that will allow more people with disabilities to represent Egypt at international competitions.

The programme is intended to build on Helm’s broader work to promote a more inclusive society. That work includes initiatives such as the Unity Cup, as well as partnerships with clubs, federations, sponsors and other organisations.

The victory therefore carries significance beyond the final result. It marks the first time an Egyptian side has won the global competition and provides a platform for further participation by athletes with disabilities from across the country.

Helm’s players were able to combine their sporting performance with a wider role as representatives of inclusion, having been assessed on their ability to embody those values as well as compete on the pitch.

Their 2-1 win over Andorra completed an unbeaten-looking sequence of victories reported during the competition, following successes against Spain, Turkey, Costa Rica and Iceland, and secured the title on Egypt’s first appearance.

The achievement was reported on Monday, 3 August 2026.