West Ham lift Soccer Sevens Shield after recovery

West Ham United ended their 2026 HKFC Soccer Sevens campaign with silverware after recovering from Cup disappointment to win the Main Tournament Shield.

The young Hammers opened their Group A campaign with an impressive 3–0 victory over the Hong Kong, China Representative Team, with Josh Ajala scoring a hat-trick.

Ajala was again on target as West Ham defeated HKFC Captain’s Select 2–1, before a narrow 1–0 defeat against defending champions AZ Alkmaar left them second in the group with six points.

West Ham faced Aston Villa in the Cup quarter-finals and fell behind before Ryan Battrum equalised. However, Villa scored during extra time to claim a 2–1 victory and send the Hammers into the Shield competition.

West Ham responded positively in the semi-final, where Ajala scored the only goal in a 1–0 victory over Hong Kong Football Club.

The Shield final against Rangers proved to be a dramatic contest. Goals from Airidas Cummings and Chinaza Oyebade helped West Ham earn a 2–2 draw after extra time before they held their nerve in the penalty shootout to lift the trophy.

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West Ham United results

Group stage
Hong Kong Representative Team 0–3 West Ham United
West Ham United 2–1 HKFC Captain’s Select
West Ham United 0–1 AZ Alkmaar

Cup quarter-final
Aston Villa 2–1 West Ham United (after extra time)

Shield semi-final
West Ham United 1–0 Hong Kong FC

Shield final
Rangers 2–2 West Ham United (West Ham won on penalties)

Tournament record: Played 6, Won 3, Drawn 1, Lost 2
Goals scored: 9
Goals conceded: 6
Final position: Shield winners