The18 Highlights Team USA’s Journey to the 2026 World Cup
When the whistle blows at the 2026 WAFF Men’s Amputee Football World Cup in San Juan de los Lagos, Mexico, the U.S. Men’s National Amputee Soccer Team will step onto the pitch ready to battle the best squads on the planet. Soccer outlet The18 recently published an in-depth feature chronicling our squad's qualification run and the grit required to compete on the international stage.
The article details the reality of competing as elite adaptive athletes. Amputee soccer is played 7-a-side on forearm crutches without prosthetics, demanding relentless cardiovascular endurance and technical mastery. The18 spotlighted veteran leaders such as team captain Nico Calabria and forward Jovan Booker, alongside a roster of athletes who balance full-time careers, family life, and rigorous training schedules to represent the United States.
Beyond the pitch, the piece highlights our ongoing fundraising efforts. Because our program operates without major commercial kit sponsors, players and supporters actively crowdfund and self-fund to cover travel, lodging, equipment, and tournament fees. With the tournament kicking off, the article frames this moment as "stoppage time" for prospective partners and fans to rally behind the team and help back our campaign in Mexico.
Read the full feature on The18: The18 Feature: This National Team Qualified for the World Cup
Support the squad: Visit our 2026 World Cup Campaign to back our players directly or watch the matches live on the World Amputee Football stream!
