ATLANTA (Oct. 14, 2026) -- The U.S. Men’s Cerebral Palsy (CP) National Team opened the 2026 IFCPF World Cup with a dominant 7-0 win over Canada in front of hundreds of fans at the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Fayetteville, Ga. The USA led 2-0 at the break behind goals from John Sullivan and Frankie Lowery, then substitute Cameron DeLillo added four after the break and co-captain Ben Lindau also scored in the first-ever IFCPF Men’s World Cup match on American soil.
The U.S. took the lead in the ninth minute when midfielder John Sullivan intercepted an errant pass from Canadian defender Joel Murphy just outside the penalty box and hit a right-footed shot to the bottom corner of the goal to open the scoring. That goal came after sustained U.S. pressure had created multiple one v one battles with Canadian defenders resulting in several challenges to Canadian goalkeeper Samuel Denton, who was up to the task with a number of key saves early in the match, including stifling one strong combination attack resulting in a close range shot from forward Shea Hammond.
American midfielder Frankie Lowery tallied the second goal for the U.S. late in stoppage time after a chaotic play on the left side. Canadian defenders attempted to clear the ball out of the penalty box but it fell to Lowery’s feet. With a strong shot off his left foot, he buried it into the back of the net to the far post and out of the reach of the Canadian goalkeeper.
Canada started the second half strong with consecutive dangerous shots on goal that American goalkeeper Sean Boyle had to make saves on.
The U.S. did not slow down their attack and in the 47th minute, second half substitute Cameron DeLillo scored the third goal of the match. After a throw in by Sullivan on the attacking side, Sullivan and DeLillo played a perfect give and go and inched closer to the goal. DeLillo skillfully got inside the box and shot it past the goalkeeper into the back of the net.
Only two minutes after, Lindau regained possession of the ball at midfield, dribbled toward the edge of the penalty area and hit a powerful right-footed shot sending it passed Canadian defenders and goalkeeper for the fourth goal.
In the 54th minute the U.S. earned a free kick after Canadian Keagan Caron fouled Jonah Meyer-Crothers near the penalty box and was shown a yellow card. Ballau took the ensuing free kick and shot the ball toward goal. After chaotic defending in front of goal, DeLillo found the ball and tapped it in for the fifth goal for the U.S.
DeLillo continued his superb play and scored two more goals. His third came in the 59th minute and the fourth for him was scored in the last minute of stoppage time.
DeLillo was later named IFCPF Player of the Match for his efforts and was able to deliver a masterful performance in front of his family, who were watching him play for his country in the United States for the first time in person.
The U.S. will continue Group A play against Scotland on Friday, Oct. 16 at (5:30 p.m. ET) and close out against No. 5 Netherlands on Sunday, Oct. 18 (5:40 p.m. ET). at Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center. The top two teams in each of the three groups, plus the two best third-place finishers, advance to the quarterfinals on Oct. 20. Quarterfinals winners will meet in the semifinals on Oct. 22, and the final will be on Oct. 24.
All matches will be broadcast live via the IFCPF YouTube Channel. This will be the first major international competition held at the facility and the first event open to the public (free reserved tickets available here).
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
Match: U.S. Men’s Cerebral Palsy (CP) National Team vs. Canada
Date: October 14, 2026
Competition: 2026 IFCPF World Cup – Group Stage
Venue: Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center; Fayetteville, Ga.
Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. ET
Attendance: 327
Weather: 87 degrees, sunny
| Scoring Summary | 1 | 2 | F |
| USA | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| CAN | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| USA – John Sullivan | 9th minute |
| USA – Frankie Lowery | 30+2 |
| USA – Cameron DeLillo (John Sullivan) | 47 |
| USA – Ben Lindau | 49 |
| USA – Cameron DeLillo | 55 |
| USA – Cameron DeLillo (Wes Pincince) | 59 |
| USA – Cameron DeLillo (Ben Lindau) | 60+2 |
Lineups:
USA: 1-Sean Boyle; 13-Josh Brunais (Capt.; 7-Adam Ballau,53), 11-Jacob Crumbley (5-Jonah Meyer-Crothers, 31); 2-Frankie Lowery (4-Wesley Pincince, 31), 10-Ben Lindau; 8-John Sullivan, 14-Shea Hammond (9-Cameron DeLillo,31)
Substitutes: 12-Marc Estrella, 3-Kyle Montgomery, 6-Jacob Kaplan
Head coach: Stuart Sharp
CAN: 1-Samuel Denton, 5-Samuel Charron (Capt.), 7-Brendan McGeachan (13-Ryan Watson,53), 8-Duncan McDonald, 10-Joel Murphy (4-Samuel Holmes,40), 11-Dante Del Cul (9-Keagan Caron,53), 12-Samuel Vollard (6-Nicholas Heffernan,31)
Substitutes: 2- Dylan Johnson, 3-Tarran Tepper,14-Ronan Wiens
Head coach: Drew Ferguson
Stats Summary: USA / CAN
Shots: 18 / 9
Shots on Goal: 12 / 5
Saves: 5 / 5
Fouls: 4 / 3
Corner Kicks: 3 / 1
| Misconduct Summary | |
| CAN -Keagan Caron (Caution) | 54th minute |