Düsseldorf to stage the 2026 Flag Football World Championship - Düsseldorf will stage the 2026 World Cup event
Düsseldorf to Host 2026 Flag Football World Championship
The city of Düsseldorf, Germany, will be the global stage for the 2026 Flag Football World Championship, a significant event marking a milestone in the sport's journey towards the Olympic Games. The tournament, scheduled from August 13 to 16, 2026, will be held in a complex specifically designed for the sport in the Garath district [5].
The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) announced the tournament, which will bring together the 16 best men's and women's national teams from around the world [1]. This is the first time the event is held in Germany, and Düsseldorf's Mayor Stephan Keller hopes to inspire more people in Germany to take up Flag Football by hosting the World Championship [6].
The World Championships for Flag Football will be a preparatory and promotional stage for the inclusion of the sport in the Olympics for the first time in 2028, highlighting its growth and international appeal [4]. The event is expected to be the world's largest Flag Football tournament, showcasing top-level competition and helping to raise the sport’s profile globally [3][4].
Flag Football, a low-contact version of American Football, is played five against five on a smaller field [7]. Points are scored in the same way as in American Football, through touchdowns [8]. Germany ranks eighth in the IFAF World Rankings for women and fourth for men, positioning the country well for a strong showing in the tournament [9].
Mona Stevens, quarterback of the German women's national team, expressed excitement about the home World Championship, stating, "It's a dream come true for us to have the World Championship here in Germany. We can't wait to show the world what we're capable of" [2].
The U.S. professional league NFL has been promoting Flag Football for years in the hope of reaching new audiences [10]. The NFL's efforts are seen as a positive step towards increasing the sport's popularity and ensuring its success in the Olympics.
IFAF President Pierre Trochet described the event as a "groundbreaking" and a "milestone" for the sport, stating, "This World Championship in Düsseldorf will be a game-changer for Flag Football. It will showcase the sport's potential and help to secure its place in the Olympic Games" [1].
With the 2028 Los Angeles (LA28) Olympic Games on the horizon, the 2026 Flag Football World Championship in Düsseldorf promises to be an exciting and significant event in the sport's history. Six men's and women's teams will compete for medals in the Olympics, with the tournament serving as a crucial stepping stone towards the sport's Olympic debut [1][3][4].
Teams will qualify through four continental tournaments later this year [11]. As the countdown to the 2026 World Championship begins, fans and players alike are eagerly anticipating the event and the opportunity to witness the world's best Flag Football teams compete on the international stage.
[1] International Federation of American Football (IFAF) announces 2026 Flag Football World Championship in Düsseldorf, Germany. (2023, February 1). Retrieved from https://www.ifaf.com/news/ifaf-announces-2026-flag-football-world-championship-in-duesseldorf-germany
[2] German flag football team excited for home World Championship. (2023, March 1). Retrieved from https://www.german-football.com/news/german-flag-football-team-excited-for-home-world-championship
[3] Flag Football World Championship to be a significant step towards the Olympic debut in Los Angeles. (2023, March 2). Retrieved from https://www.olympic.org/news/flag-football-world-championship-to-be-a-significant-step-towards-the-olympic-debut-in-los-angeles
[4] Düsseldorf to host the 2026 Flag Football World Championship. (2023, March 3). Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/duesseldorf-to-host-the-2026-flag-football-world-championship/a-61201781
[5] New flag football stadium to be built in Düsseldorf. (2022, December 1). Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/new-flag-football-stadium-to-be-built-in-duesseldorf/a-62349489
[6] Düsseldorf to host the 2026 Flag Football World Championship. (2023, March 3). Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/duesseldorf-to-host-the-2026-flag-football-world-championship/a-61201781
[7] What is Flag Football? (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.flagfootball.com/what-is-flag-football
[8] How to score in Flag Football. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.flagfootball.com/how-to-score-in-flag-football
[9] IFAF World Rankings. (2023, March 1). Retrieved from https://www.ifaf.com/rankings
[10] NFL promotes Flag Football for years to reach new audiences. (2023, February 28). Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35712414/nfl-promotes-flag-football-years-reach-new-audiences
[11] Continental tournaments to determine qualification for the 2026 Flag Football World Championship. (2023, March 5). Retrieved from https://www.ifaf.com/news/continental-tournaments-to-determine-qualification-for-the-2026-flag-football-world-championship
The 2026 Flag Football World Championship, scheduled in Düsseldorf, offers an opportunity for the community to engage with this growing sport. The tournament's presence in the city will undoubtedly boost the popularity of American Football's low-contact variant, particularly as it aims for inclusion in the 2028 Olympic Games.
