Mexico is set to make history as its first blind women’s football team, Chilangas FC, prepares to travel to Brazil for the Women’s Blind Football American Championship in September 2023.
Founded in 2020 by coach Wendy del Rio, the side was created to give female athletes with visual impairments a dedicated space to train and compete, filling a gap left by the scarcity of organized opportunities in the country.
The players rely on a specially designed ball that contains internal rattles, allowing them to track its movement by sound, while teammates communicate verbally to coordinate attacks and defensive positioning within an enclosed arena lined with walls that reflect acoustic cues.
Among the squad is Paulina ‘Pau’ Hernandez, a 31‑year‑old mother from Mexico City who was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa and has been completely blind for four years; her participation embodies the team’s broader mission to prove that ability transcends disability.
Striker Alexandra Ramirez, 20, also brings a compelling story; she trains at a residential school for the visually impaired and regularly journeys long distances to attend practice sessions, underscoring the personal sacrifices required to compete at this level.
Challenges on and off the field
The team confronts numerous obstacles, from a lack of institutional funding and the absence of a dedicated pitch, to societal pressures that include discouragement from family members and entrenched cultural expectations about gender and disability.
Despite these hurdles, Chilangas FC remains one of only six women’s blind football squads in Mexico, a sport still nascent compared to its male counterpart, and the players hope their visibility will inspire future generations to pursue similar dreams.
For Pau, the ultimate aspiration is simple yet profound: she wishes for her son to one day watch her play in the Copa América, a moment she sees as validation of the team’s hard‑won recognition and the importance of familial support.
Beyond personal goals, the sport cultivates trust, communication and a sense of belonging among the athletes, offering them a community where limitations are redefined as strengths.