Belgium targets Wheelchair Football World Cup despite tight budget

The Belgian wheelchair football selection is preparing to compete in the World Cup that will take place from October 15 to 24 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, after qualifying thanks to a fourth‑place finish at the Nation's Cup 2025 and represents a major milestone for the sport in Belgium.

The Belgian team will consist of eight athletes with disabilities, accompanied by 14 staff members, forming a delegation of 22 people. The estimated total budget amounts to €100,000, covering round‑trip tickets, equipment transport and logistical costs. A crowdfunding campaign has already raised about €50,000, thanks to the support of the Fédération Wallonie‑Bruxelles and Cap 48. Wheelchair football, classified among adapted sports, is slowly developing in Belgium, according to Sébastien Sterpigny.

A logistical and financial challenge

Sending eight people in wheelchairs to the other side of the world represents a real organisational challenge. The cost of travel, specialised equipment and accommodation places significant financial pressure on the players. Competition expenses remain the responsibility of the athletes, even after the crowdfunding.

Robin Caudron, the selection's coach, points out that the group does not set a specific target after fifteen years of absence. “We are going there to gain experience, both sporting and logistical,” he said. He adds that each player aims for a Top 5, but without excessive pressure.

The officials of the national team explain that this participation is part of an ambitious national project aimed at strengthening the wheelchair football structure and giving it international visibility. They hope the experience gained will serve as a lever to develop the discipline in Belgium. The success at the Nation's Cup has already reignited local enthusiasm.

Development of wheelchair football in Belgium

Since its revival in 2022, wheelchair football has about 45 players spread across five championship teams, with the goal of creating five more within five years. Sébastien Sterpigny, specialist of RWDM and regional sport, notes that the number of teams went from one in 2019 to five in 2020, and remains at five today, despite the cost of a competition chair estimated at €10,000. He believes the sport is developing well, thanks to the commitment of clubs and local authorities.

Wheelchair football, according to spokespersons, turns physical activity into an accessible exercise that boosts self‑confidence and prevents complications associated with sedentary lifestyles. The movements, accelerations and direction changes engage the heart, breathing, core and upper limbs, promoting endurance and cardio‑respiratory fitness. This practice therefore helps reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases among people with disabilities.