Final Teams Qualified for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships
Teams Qualified for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships
Photo credit: Football Canada official webpage
The global stage is now set for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships, a defining milestone ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut in Los Angeles 2028. Below, we highlight the standout MVPs from the 2025 Continental Championships and present the full lineup of national teams that earned their tickets to Düsseldorf.
MVPs of the 2025 Continental Championships
The 2025 season showcased remarkable performances across all continents, setting new standards for excellence in flag football. Here are the confirmed MVPs from each continental championship:
| Continent | Division | MVP | Country | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asia–Oceania | Men’s | Jared Stegman | Australia | @nbfo.china |
| Asia–Oceania | Women’s | Niu Xin Yao (牛鑫昱) | China | @nbfo.china |
| Europe | Men’s | Luke Zahradka | Italy | FIDAF |
| Europe | Women’s | Emily Kemp | Great Britain | IFAF Europe 2025 Report |
| Americas | Men’s & Women’s | No MVPs announced | — | IFAF Americas Press Release |
| Africa | Men’s & Women’s | TBA | — | — |
Player Highlights
- Emily Kemp (Great Britain) scored three touchdowns, including the decisive overtime score, to lead Great Britain’s 34–33 win over Austria and retain the European title.
- Luke Zahradka (Italy) showcased exceptional leadership to secure Italy’s men’s European championship in Paris.
- Jared Stegman (Australia) delivered a standout MVP performance at the Asia-Oceania Championship in Ningbo.
- Niu Xin Yao (China) proved vital in China’s historic women’s triumph with her composure and creativity.
The 2025 Americas Championship in Panama (September 12–14) was heavily affected by weather, leading to the cancellation of both finals. Mexico’s women led Canada 12–0 when play was stopped, while the USA–Mexico men’s final was never played. Both were declared joint champions.
Teams Qualified for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships
The 2026 IFAF World Championships will take place in Düsseldorf, Germany from 13–16 August 2026, featuring 32 teams — 16 men’s and 16 women’s squads — representing the pinnacle of international flag football.
Men’s Teams (16)
- Germany (hosts)
- American Samoa
- Australia
- Austria
- Brazil
- Canada
- France
- Great Britain
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Mexico
- Nigeria
- Panama
- Switzerland
- United States
Women’s Teams (16)
- Germany (hosts)
- Australia
- Austria
- Brazil
- Canada
- France
- Great Britain
- Italy
- Japan
- Mexico
- Nigeria
- Panama
- People’s Republic of China
- Slovenia
- Spain
- United States
With continental champions crowned and MVPs recognized, flag football’s momentum accelerates toward the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028. Düsseldorf 2026 will mark a defining chapter for the sport’s global growth.
Stay tuned for updates on team rosters and which players with Ljubljana Frogs experience will compete at the 2026 World Championships in Germany.
