Peter O'Reilly, Pierre Trochet, Pierre Ducrey on August 16 in Düsseldorf. Photo: IFAF.
The first step on the road to Los Angeles 2028. Düsseldorf has just hosted the Flag Football World Championships, which offered four spots for the sport's first-ever Olympic tournament. Silver and bronze medalists Italy and Canada secured their places in the men's competition. On the women's side, Canada (tournament winners) and Mexico (third place) earned their spots. As hosts, the United States, champions in the men's tournament and runners-up in the women's, had already qualified. Six of the twelve teams that will be in LA in two years are now known. With the remaining spots to be awarded during the Qualifier Series in June 2028, the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) is already rubbing its hands with glee.
The IOC and the NFL are getting on board
Pierre Trochet is effusive in his praise: Düsseldorf 2026 has set a new benchmark for international flag football events. "These World Championships benefited from unprecedented coverage with over 112 hours of broadcasting and up to 180 million people reached worldwide, according to the IFAF, based on contracts signed at the international level (with DAZN) and at the regional level. 20.000 spectators also attended the matches over the four days of competition in Düsseldorf."
« This world championship raised the bar in every area and delivered unforgettable moments and emotions., Trochet continues. On the field, we clearly witnessed the most closely contested matches of all time, with incredibly close games and amazing plays at every stage of the competition. Off the field, with record attendance and an unprecedented global audience for flag football, we are witnessing the dawn of a new era. I would like to thank our exceptional partners at D.Sports, the 300 fantastic volunteers, and all the residents of North Rhine-Westphalia for the warm welcome they extended to the global flag football family. »
The event also saw the conclusion of a significant agreement between the IOC, the IFAF, and the NFL to promote flag football up to the Games. The NFL's flagship events, such as the International Games and the Super Bowl, are included in the agreement, alongside major IFAF competitions and IOC platforms. "This is a particularly exciting prospect," states the IFAF press release. It's certainly an exciting prospect for shining a spotlight on a still-emerging discipline. This collaboration will leverage the collective reach of the NFL, IFAF, and IOC to tell compelling stories, engage fans worldwide, and generate excitement over the next two years, both for the Games and for flag football at LA28. “,” says Pierre Ducrey, IOC sports director.
« The NFL is proud to work alongside the IFAF and the IOC to help build momentum for 2028, leveraging the reach of our league, our clubs, and our major events to showcase the sport., agrees Peter O'Reilly, NFL executive vice president in charge of club operations, major events and international affairs. We are particularly excited by the growth we are seeing among young people, women and girls, and we are confident that this collaboration can help create a lasting impact for this sport and the Olympic Movement well beyond LA28. »
