Statistics have been compiled by the governing body following Continental Championships held across the world in 2017.

It is claimed that there has been a "significant" increase in the number of countries competing which shows "an expansion of the game to reach new parts of the world".

Thirty-six teams competed in the regional events last year, a 71 per cent rise from 2013 when just 21 nations took part.

This is also a 28 per cent rise from 2015 when 28 countries were involved.

Fifteen countries competed in 2017 from Europe, with six from Asia.

Eleven nations represented the Americas with five from Central America and six from the rest of the region.

Four African countries also took to the field.

The IBSA calendar included the European Championships in Berlin, the Asian Championships in Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur and the African Championships in Cape Verde.

Guatemala hosted the inaugural Central American Sub-Regional Championships with the American Championships staged in Chile.

Europe also hosted a qualifier for its Championships in Romania due to the number of teams seeking to qualify, while blind football was also contested at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Para Games in Kuala Lumpur in September.  

"Statistics released by IBSA show how blind football is expanding and growing globally to become one of the most popular Paralympic sports in the world," an IBSA statement said.

"Data compiled from all the official IBSA 2017 international blind football championships show a significant increase in the number of countries taking part in the events and an expansion of the game to reach new parts of the world."