Kazakhstan Wins Seattle’s First-Ever Blind Soccer International Tournament as City Named Pacific Northwest Hub for the Sport

Kazakhstan went unbeaten across the weekend, defeating Peru 1-0 on Sunday to clinch the tournament title. The full results were USA 0, Peru 4 on Saturday; USA 0, Kazakhstan 0 on Saturday; and Kazakhstan 1, Peru 0 on Sunday.

SeattleFWC26 CEO Peter Tomozawa said the weekend was a direct expression of the legacy the city’s World Cup hosting is intended to build. “By combining our accessibility focus with a commitment to grow blind soccer, we are helping the US National Blind Soccer team build toward the LA28 Paralympic Games while establishing lasting infrastructure for the sport in our region,” Tomozawa said. “This is what innovative investment in sport looks like, and this is what Seattle’s FIFA World Cup legacy looks like: more athletes, more coaches, more opportunity, and more for the community.”

Michael Holmes, Interim CEO of USABA, said the tournament represented a significant moment for the sport’s visibility in the region. “This international tournament featuring our own USA Blind Soccer Men’s National Team represented a powerful opportunity to elevate awareness, showcase the speed, skill and intensity of the sport, and connect new communities to adaptive athletics,” Holmes said.

Sam Zisette, Co-Founder and President of Ballard FC and Salmon Bay FC, said hosting the event at Interbay Stadium aligned directly with both clubs’ vision for what the game can be. “We’re excited to help showcase these incredible athletes to our fanbase and beyond, and to continue growing the sport in our community,” Zisette said.

The designation of Seattle as the official Pacific Northwest Hub for US blind soccer is intended to create lasting infrastructure for the sport in the region well beyond the World Cup itself, building pathways for athletes, coaches, and communities across Washington state.