Israel’s women’s goalball team reaches World Championship final and seals LA 2028 Paralympic berth

Israel’s women’s goalball team made history on Sunday by reaching the World Championship final and clinching a place at the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games. In a tense semifinal against the United States, the Israelis won 7-5 after extra time and penalties, securing the country’s first Paralympic qualification for the Games that open in August 2028.

Israel finished first in its group, beat Canada in the quarterfinals, and then faced the U.S. in the semifinal. The team will play the World Championship final on Monday afternoon against China.

Paralympic Committee chairman Moshe, known as “Mutz” Matalon, called the qualification “a great honor and an exciting achievement for all of us.” He added, “The girls reached the final, and we pray that tomorrow they will be crowned world champions.” He thanked the players, coaching staff and support personnel, saying the committee is committed to getting Israeli athletes onto the podium.

The squad, which won silver at Paris 2024, has recently added new players. Alongside captain Lihi Ben David, experienced players Elahem Mahmid Rozin and Roni Ohayon will be joined by younger teammates Hadass Artzi, Shira Atiya and Salsabil Suad. The team is coached by Raz Shoham, with assistants Ariel Puerta and Wissal Shouphania. Goalball is played by athletes with visual impairments or blindness, using blindfolds to equalize vision; players track the goal by markings on the court and the ball by the bells inside it.