The United States Amputee soccer squad have qualified for the 2026 World Cup this fall, but they are now funding their way to the competition.
Managed by the American Amputee Soccer Association, the team picked their ticket, and players are personally raising funds to ensure they can attend the opening ceremony.
The competition is slated for San Juan de los Lagos in Mexico and will run from November 13 to 22. Reports have it that the U.S. team players are sourcing for funds in order to pay their own way to the tournament in a bid to cover their flight, meals, lodging and time off work.
The 18 said in a report that the squad will face other teams of the world with no brand name crested on the front of their shirts.
Amputee soccer is a harder version of the game, with seven-a-side team playing with forearm crutches and no prosthetics.
The goalkeeper is billed to defend with one arm, while wingers or outfield players are made to cover the full pitch with two crutches and one leg.
It’s a brutally demanding sport played by elite athletes and the U.S. program is no underdog curiosity. In 2024, the women’s team won silver and now the men have picked their ricket to the competition.
Born with one leg, captain of the side Nico Calabria, who has spent his while life on crutches says soccer helps him showcase his ability to the world.
The player, educator, and advocate said:
“Soccer is the way I communicate my ability to the world. It’s how I express who I am, and it flips negative stereotypes about disability on their head.”
His teammate Vasu Sojitra, who lost his leg to sepsis during infancy is not a professional adaptive athlete backed the North Face, REI, Smith Optics and Faction Skis — proof that the world’s best brands already see what these athletes are worth.
According to him, soccer is “the great connector of cultures,” and representing the U.S. the highest honor of his career.
Jovan Booker had his leg amputated after he was born with a limb difference. He named Brazilian legend Pele as his idol and thought he would never play again after his father passed — until he found amputee soccer.
Booker said:
“I honor my father every time I step on the pitch, and feel him watching over me every time I put on the Stars and Stripes.”
We are proud to announce that Tressler attorney Andrew Paine has once again been selected to represent Team USA as a member of the U.S. Men’s National Amputee Soccer Team in the World Cup.
Learn more and donate: https://t.co/KnubOfEiTm https://t.co/G0VdgU98On
— Tressler LLP (@TresslerLLP) November 4, 2026
Sam Kerr sparks US transfer rumors
Yankee Scores earlier reported that Australian forward Sam Kerr completed a deal with Denver Summit FC and would leave Chelsea at the end of the Women’s Super League season.
The report suggested she was set to return to the United States, where she previously starred in the NWSL.
