International Federation of American Football - IFAF

In June, Cairo will welcome elite men’s and women’s national teams from across Africa for the first time at an IFAF Continental Championships. As participation in flag football continues to grow rapidly throughout the continent, this historic event offers a pathway to qualification for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships. “With the announcement of the first ever IFAF Continental Championships in Africa, we are taking another step in the global development of our sport,” said IFAF President Pierre TROCHET. “Egypt will be a great host, and we are certain AFRICA FLAG 2025 will play its part in inspiring new athletes and fans across a continent that has already produced a rich heritage of American football talent.” EFAF President Ali Rafeek said: “We are extremely proud to be hosting the first ever AFRICA FLAG 2025 in Cairo and to be writing Egypt into flag football’s history books. Hosting this tournament allows us to put a spotlight on our talented athletes and to show the next generation what’s possible in this sport — whether you’re picking up a football for the first time or dreaming of the Olympics.” The Egyptian women’s national team will be led by quarterback Amira Nader, who said: “AFRICA FLAG 2025 is a huge moment for the continued growth of flag football across our continent. It’s an opportunity to showcase the incredible talent and passion rising throughout Africa and take a meaningful step towards making history at LA28. As the first-ever Continental Championships, this event will inspire the next generation to pick up a football and believe anything is possible.” Hosted in partnership with the National Football League (NFL) and Egyptian Federation of American Football (EFAF), various youth football development events will take place in Cairo in conjunction with the upcoming Championships — expanding the league’s NFL Africa program to Egypt for the first time, creating more opportunities for young athletes from across the continent to play American football. In collaboration with IFAF and EFAF, U12 teams of boys and girls from Egypt, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria will compete in a multi-day NFL Flag Continental Championship, facing off in the championship game on June 23. The NFL will also host a football talent identification event with prospects from across Africa. “I’m excited and inspired to lead the NFL’s efforts in Africa and to again expand our programming to a fifth country: Egypt — an innovative market for sport, with incredible talent,” said two-time Super Bowl Champion and NFL Africa Lead Osi Umenyiora. “Back-to-back days of NFL Africa events alongside the IFAF Continental Championships in Egypt helps showcase the aspirational pathways for talented young athletes across the continent, as we look ahead together to flag football in the LA Olympic Games in 2028. It will be a great weekend of football, and one that will create a powerful legacy as we introduce more and more young athletes to our game.”

IFAF and the National Football League (NFL) hosted a flag football coach education and officiating clinic in Accra, Ghana from April 11-13 - as part of the strategy to accelerate the development and growth of the game across the continent.    The three-day flag football clinic welcomed coaches and officials from 10 African countries - Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Tunisia and Uganda - joined by leaders from the global flag community to support learning and education.    50 participants received both classroom and on-field learning, as the clinic looked to improve the skills of new and experienced coaches and officials - helping to promote and enable further long-term flag football engagement and participation across the continent.    Expert coaches delivering the sessions included:  Chris Curd: founder and commissioner of the Pittsburgh flag football league, with more than 16 years of experience in league operations.  Mike Daniels: accomplished football coach and NFL senior consultant for football development.  Fouzia Madhouni: head coach of Morocco’s Women’s flag football team and NFL & IFAF Global Flag Ambassador.  Max von Garnier: German coach, leader of NFL Flag schools’ program in Germany and former NFL Europe player.   Cédric Castaing: international flag football referee and national coordinator for flag football officials in France.   The weekend’s activities were also supported by NFL Flag and IFAF coaches.    Since 2023 participation in flag football in Africa has surged, with Egypt and Nigeria seeing increases of 149% and 85% respectively. In Nigeria, the national federation’s outreach program has already engaged more than 13,000 young people highlighting the sport’s expanding reach and appeal.    “The NFL and IFAF are committed to continuing to develop and grow the game of flag football in Africa,” said Vice President, Flag Football at the NFL Stephanie Kwok. “Creating meaningful educational pathways for coaches and officials delivering flag across Africa, is a critical part of the game at every level on the continent. The coach education and officiating clinic will create a powerful legacy for both the elite and grassroots levels of the game, as we build to the Los Angeles Olympics 2028 and beyond.”    “This clinic marks another crucial step in promoting the growth of flag football across Africa,” said IFAF Sport Manager Lars Carlsen. “By investing in the education and development of coaches and officials, we’re focused on developing strong local foundations that will support the game’s continued expansion. Working hand in hand with our partners at the NFL, IFAF is committed to empowering the next generation of coaches, officials and athletes, building a sustainable future for flag football across the region.”

Diana Flores A., the IFAF Athlete Committee Chair, reinforces IFAF's commitment to clean sport on #PlayTrueDay

Phoebe Schecter and Benjamin Klever, both IFAF European Champions and both IFAF and National Football League (NFL) Ambassadors, promote the value of clean sport on World Anti-Doping Agency #PlayTrueDay

The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) has welcomed today’s news that flag football will make its Olympic Games debut at The Stadium in Exposition Park, subject to final approval from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board. It follows a vote by the Los Angeles City Council approving LA28’s Games Plan. Pierre Trochet, President of IFAF, said: “We’re very excited by this news, which means that, subject to IOC approval, flag football will make its Olympic Games debut at the epicentre of LA28, on the same campus as the iconic LA Memorial Coliseum – the host to Olympic ceremonies and athletics for a record third time. “It’s a fantastic development for our sport – and one that will thrill all the flag football athletes who are dreaming of becoming Olympians. “Flag football is going to be the place to be at LA28! Our electrifying sport and athletes will set the heartbeat of the Games. Our tournaments will be framed by the stunning visual backdrop of the downtown LA skyline and immersed in the festive atmosphere of Exposition Park. “The Stadium itself is among the world’s most cutting-edge sports and entertainment venues, renowned as an “experience multiplier.” It’s an ideal stage to showcase one of the world’s most explosive and fan-centric young sports, which comes with a unique cultural wraparound and the extra experiential firepower of the NFL. “Together, our goal is to create an unforgettable and transformational impact on the Games.”   Andy Fuller, Managing Director of IFAF, said: “We’re grateful to LA28 for their collaborative approach to this process. “Flag football offers significant flexibility when it comes to venues, as a sport that can be staged indoors or outdoors, including in temporary structures. “Throughout our discussions, we have emphasised flag football’s strong local grassroots and social impact traditions and it’s fitting that the proposed venue also serves as an important, year-round community resource. “As home to one of the world’s most valuable and fast-growing women’s sports franchises, The Stadium in Exposition Park also offers a natural synergy with flag football, whose extraordinary worldwide growth is being driven by women and girls.”

IFAF President Pierre TROCHET to deliver keynote speech at the Sports Technology Alliance summit in London.

Austria will host the 2025 IFAF European Youth Flag Football Championships when the continent’s top players at the boys and girls U17 and mixed U15 age groups converge on Innsbruck from September 3 to 7. More: https://lnkd.in/ehTnP_me

From September 24 to 27, 2025, Paris will be the beating heart of European Flag Football. The IFAF European Flag Football Championships (adult) are coming to the Parc Interdépartemental du Val-de-Marne, bringing together the best national teams from across Europe to compete at the highest level. This event isn’t just about winning medals: it’s a major milestone on the road to Los Angeles 2028, where Flag Football makes its Olympic debut. For the first time, IFAF joins forces with Playground Event alongside the French Federation of American Football (FFFA) and local partners, to deliver a spectacular tournament experience, on and off the field. Expect elite competition, an interactive fan village, and a celebration of the sport’s fast-growing community.

IFAF is grateful for the work which you and your colleagues are undertaking and we couldn't be more impressed with the professionalism and rigour you are bringing to the table. The outcomes will leave a lasting legacy to create opportunities for people to be involved in football - whether that is the leadership of IFAF; in a playing, coaching or officiating capacity; or as part of one of our member federations. Thank you.

Reigning IFAF European champion Spain will defend its women’s tackle football title against Great Britain, Finland and Germany when the 2025/26 tournament kicks off this spring. More: https://lnkd.in/egBJMna2