Hereford hosts the World Cup!

Come and support England in Hereford as they bid to lift the IBSA World Blind Football Championships in August.

I feel proud to be commentating on the event, and hope as many Hereford United supporters as possible will join me offering their support to England and their opponents throughout the competition.

The England Blind squad will face Spain, Japan, Columbia and South Korea in Group A.

In Group B Argentina, the current World Champions, will face stiff competition from South American rivals Brazil on August 19, as well as France, China and Cameroon.

Wembley played hosts to the draw with The FA's Director of Football Development Sir Trevor Brooking and 1966 World Cup winner George Cohen as special guests.

The competition will take place during August with England's campaign starting against Spain at the championship host venue The Royal National College in Hereford on August 14.

This is followed by two games against Asian opposition in South Korea on August 16, and Japan on August 17, with the group stage concluding against Columbia on August 19.

In addition to the draw, tickets have now gone on general sale.

Admissions are not on a game-by-game basis, but via a day pass, enabling you to see a number of matches.

Each ticket costs £5; tickets have also been priced to cater for a varying number of age groups.

Concessions are priced at £2 are available for Under 16s, students, and senior citizens (60+).

Sir Trevor Brooking is confident that the World Championships will be a great success.

'I'm sure it will be a good occasion and it's brilliant to have someone like Geroge Cohen who has won a World Cup involved in today's draw as it gives everyone involved a massive boost,' he said.

'I'm told that both Argentina and Brazil are strong sides so Tony Larkin will be pleased that they won't feature in our group games.

'I know what it's like to play in a tournament for your country and it's a great feeling.

'Hopefully, the Hereford area will get behind the England team this summer, as it's a very good standard of football and will help raise the profile of the disability game.'

Blind football is played on a solid surface, generally indoors, with a football containing bearings so that it makes a noise when it moves. Each team consists of five players; outfield players are classified as B1, which means that some may have some light perception, although eye shields are worn during games to counter this; goalkeepers are sighted, but cannot leave their area. In blind football, there are no offside rules.

The international governing body for blind football is the International Blind Sports Association (IBSA), which was established in Paris in 1981. The organisation is responsible for a number of sports, including football; this is overseen by a Technical Director, Carlos Campos, with other members being elected from each county's own association. The current elected member representing England is the former Hereford United defender Tony Larkin, who is manager of the England blind team.

On a national level, the game is governed by British Blind Sport.

The Blind World Championship is held every two years, with European Championships and World Games also held on a two year cycle. This means that the National Team will play in major championships every year. The blind team is eligible to compete in the Paralympics every four years, subject to qualification and resolving the 'Great Britain' debate.

Hopefully Bulls' fans will have a fantastic time at the IBSA Blind World Championships in Hereford.

Day tickets are available now priced at £5 for adults and £2 for concessions (including students); day tickets will be offered for all championship days, with at least two games to be played in one venue on a single day.

Telephone - Ticket Hotline: 0161 743 3515 (Monday - Friday 9am - 4pm)

Tickets will also be available on match days at the venue.

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