Amputee football's Nations League A is set to take place in Kraków, five days before the European Games begin in June ©Kraków-Małopolska

Officials believe that the inclusion of amputee football tournament under the European Games umbrella could help its cause for eventual inclusion in the Paralympic Games.

The European Amputee Football Federation (EAFF) Nations League A is set to take place in Kraków, five days before the 2023 European Games begin and organisers believe the showcase will benefit the sport.

"Being a part of such a great event, and at the same time the only sport of disabled people present here, is a wonderful thing for us," Polish Amputee Football President Mateusz Widlak said.

"This is a great promotion, but also another step in terms of our efforts to join the ranks of Paralympic sports."

World and European champions Turkey, European finalists Spain and England are expected to join the host nation in the three day competition.

"This is a great opportunity for amputee football to present itself at its best," Widlak said. 

Kraków hosted the EAFF European Championships in September 2021 and have also staged the EAFF Champions League matches.

The Nations League is a new project for the EAFF and is planned to take place every two years and serve as qualifiers for the European Championships.

New Poland coach Dmytro Kameko is set to take charge of the squad for the competition.

The squad is expected to feature goalkeeper Igor Woźniak, who plays for local club Wisła Kraków.

"The methods the new coach has developed will certainly pay off, and that all the new skills will be fully utilised in the June matches against the English, Turks and Spaniards," Woźniak added.

The matches are to be played in the Prądniczanka Stadium, which was the setting for Poland's first international in amputee football.

"It was here that the first match between the national team and Ireland took place, and the interest was so great that the match was sold out," Kraków-Małopolska 2023 vice-president Janusz Koziol said.

"The relationship of amputee football with Krakow continues and is stronger than ever, and this is thanks to both the players and the fans in our city, they instantly fell in love with this relatively new sport, and the feeling is mutual." 

The city of Kraków was presented with the EAFF Golden Ball in recognition of its contribution to the development of amputee football.

Tickets for the Nations League tournament from June 16 to June 18 will be free.

The 2023 European Games is set to begin on June 21 and will conclude on July 2.