President of the American Football Association of Nigeria (NAFA), Babajide Akeredolu has predicted victory for the Nigeria’s flag football teams in the scheduled 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championship in Düsseldorf, Germany.
The Groups for the 2026 World Championships, which are determined by the world rankings, were announced on social media on Tuesday, 25 November by high-profile Global Flag Football Ambassadors including NFL Legends Eli Manning and Drew Brees, NFL EVP of Football Operations Troy Vincent, German New England Patriots icon Sebastian Vollmer and Women’s Football pioneer Liz Sowers.
According to the fixtures, Nigeria men’s squad will face off against powerhouses Austria, Japan, and Canada, while the women’s team takes on the United States, Spain, and Australia in group-stage action.
The groupings, based on the latest IFAF world rankings, mark a historic milestone for Nigerian flag football. Both the men’s and women’s teams earned their spots by qualifying through the inaugural IFAF African Flag Football Championships held in Cairo, Egypt, in June 2025.
Akeredolu in a statement personally signed described Nigeria’s debut on the global stage as a testament to the sport’s rapid growth in Nigeria in particular and Africa as a whole.
He said this aligns with a broader surge in international participation, as flag football edges closer to its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
“In the men’s competition, Nigeria has been drawn into Group B alongside top-ranked Austria (world No. 2), Japan (No. 7), and Canada (No. 10). The United States retains its stranglehold on the No. 1 spot in the men’s rankings, with a record 59 countries now holding positions; a testament to the sport’s expanding footprint. Nigeria enters the rankings for the first time at No. 32. This announced our strong showing in continental play.
“The women’s team, ranked No. 29 as newcomers, finds itself in Group B with defending Olympic hopefuls USA (No. 2), Spain (No. 7), and Australia (No. 10). Mexico has made history by dethroning the USA to claim the top women’s ranking for the first time, fueled by victories at The World Games in Chengdu, China, and the Americas Continental Championships in Panama.
“The 2026 World Championships, scheduled for August 13-16 at the Düsseldorf Flag Football Complex in partnership with the NFL, will feature 16 men’s and 16 women’s teams. It represents the largest international flag football event before LA28 and is expected to serve as a key qualifier for the Olympics, with final approval from the International Olympic Committee pending.” Akeredolu said.
The NAFA President noted that the championships has offered a platform for Nigeria to showcase emerging talent amid a year that saw 101 senior national teams compete across four continental events.
“As one of 20 men’s and 15 women’s teams entering the rankings for the first time, Nigeria’s participation signals the sport’s dynamic growth beyond traditional strongholds. Nigeria team has continued its preparations for the upcoming World Championships through local leagues and aggressive talent hunts.” Akeredolu stressed.
According to the IFAF President Pierre Trochet, “These new world rankings aptly reflect another record-breaking year for international flag football, setting the stage for 2026 in the most spectacular way. It’s thrilling to see the new nations, ambition and investment driving competition to new levels as we all look forward to flag football’s Olympic debut in 2028.”
Director of Competitions Fabio Tortosa added:
“This year has been an inflection point for competitive international flag football, with real momentum reflected not only in the expansion of IFAF’s tournament structures but also what we have seen on the field: new countries, new styles, new playbooks, new athletes—all adding up to an exciting elevation in global performance standards.”
The rankings update shows a 48% increase in globally ranked teams since 2022, the year before flag football was confirmed for LA28. Notable climbers include Australia’s men, who jumped eight places to No. 8 after winning the Asia-Oceania title, and China’s women debuting at No. 18 following their continental victory in Ningbo.
