Flag football is a variant of gridiron football where, instead of tackling players to the ground, the defensive team must remove a flag or flag belt from the ball carrier ("deflagging") to end a down. In flag football, contact is limited between players. The sport has a strong amateur following with several national and international competitions each year sponsored by various associations but is most popularly played in America where it was invented. The international governing body for the sport is the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) with the International Woman's Flag Football Association (IWFFA) governing the women's game.
The IFAF World Championship of American Football is an international gridiron competition held every four years and contested by teams representing member nations. The competition is run by the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), the international governing body for the sport. Seventy-one nations have a national American football team. The most recent tournament, in 2015, featured seven teams.
The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) is the international governing body of American football associations. The IFAF oversees the organisation and promotion of all international competitions across both contact and non contact versions of the game, including the IFAF World Championship of American Football, which is held every four years. The IFAF became a provisionary member of SportAccord in 2003, and became a full SportAccord member in 2005. In 2023, IFAF was officially recognised as an Olympic IF by the IOC. In 2023, IFAF made a historic new streak, with Flag Football being selected as one of the five new Sports for the LA 28 Olympic Summer Games. The organization's head office is located in Paris, France.
IFAF Europe is the governing body of American football in Europe. It is a member of the International Federation of American Football. IFAF Europe replaced the European Federation of American Football (EFAF) which had begun in 1976 as the American European Football Federation (AEFF).
The United States National American Football Team often referred to as Team USA represents the United States in international men's American football competitions. It is currently controlled by USA Football and is recognized by the International Federation of American Football (IFAF). The team is currently ranked no.1 in the world in tackle Football by the IFAF.
IFAF Asia is the governing body of American football in Asia. It is a member of the International Federation of American Football. IFAF Asia replaced the Asian Federation of American Football (AFAF) in 2012. The oldest of IFAF Asia federations is the Japan American Football Association (JAFA), which was founded in 1934.
IFAF Americas is the federation that governs the sport of American football in the Americas and qualifies teams from North America, Central America, the Caribbean and South America in the IFAF World Cup. It replaced the Pan American Federation of American Football (PAFAF) in 2012. The organization also oversees flag football competitions.
IFAF Oceania is the governing body of American football in Oceania. It is a member of the International Federation of American Football. IFAF Oceania replaced the Oceania Federation of American Football (OFAF) in 2012. They additionally oversee flag football.
American football was featured in the Summer Olympic Games demonstration programme in 1904 and 1932. College football was played at the 1904 Olympics, which was played at Francis Field, but was, in reality, college teams playing each other as part of their regular seasons. The sport was eventually played officially as a demonstration sport only once, in 1932. Though American football has not been played in the Olympics since then, various American football players have participated in the Olympics. The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) oversees the IFAF World Championship, which is an international tournament, which itself is held every four years.
The Canada Men's National Football Team represent Canada in Senior Men's international gridiron football competitions. It is governed and managed by Football Canada and is recognized by the International Federation of American Football (IFAF). Football Canada is the governing body for amateur Canadian football, however, IFAF-sponsored games are played using American football rules. They competed for their first and only IFAF World Championship in 2011.
The Canada National Football Junior Team a.k.a. the Football Canada World Junior Team represent Canada in international gridiron football competitions. The football program is part of the football development program and is controlled by Football Canada and is recognized by the International Federation of American Football (IFAF). It is the premiere team in male development for the organization. While Football Canada is the governing body for amateur Canadian football, IFAF-sponsored games are played using American football rules. Team Canada first competed on the world stage in the NFL Global Junior Championship in 2000 with a championship victory over Team Europe. They competed for their first IFAF Junior World Cup in 2009.
IFAF Flag Football World Championship is the international championship in flag football, organized by International Federation of American Football. The men's and women's competitions are usually held in the same venue. The tournament starts with pool play to fill in the seeding and follows an elimination-style of play after that. At the end of the tournament the top teams are rewarded with Bronze (3rd), Silver (2nd) or Gold (1st). The IFAF Flag Football World Championship is held every two years in different countries.
IFAF Africa is the governing body of American football in Africa. They also oversee flag football competitions. It is a member of the International Federation of American Football.
The Denmark men's national flag football team represents Denmark in men's international flag football matches. The sport is governed by the Danish American Football Federation. The team won a record six consecutive European Championships. They also won silver four times in the World Championship. They have 14 medals in total. In 2023, the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) ranked the Denmark men's team 11th worldwide.
The flag football competition at the 2022 World Games took place in July 2022, in Birmingham, Alabama in the United States.
The 2021 IFAF Men's Flag Football World Championships was the 10th World Championships in men's flag football. The tournament took place in Jerusalem, Israel, from 6 to 8 December 2021.
The 2021 IFAF Women's Flag Football World Championships was the 10th World Championships in women's flag football. The tournament took place in Jerusalem, Israel, from 6 to 8 December 2021.
The Denmark women's national flag football team represents Denmark in women's international flag football matches. The sport is governed by the Danish American Football Federation. In 2023, the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) ranked the Denmark women's team 19th worldwide, tied with Finland.
The Austria women's national flag football team represents Austria in women's international flag football matches. The sport is governed by the American Football Federation Austria (AFBÖ). In 2024, the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) ranked the Austrian women's team 4th worldwide.
The Great Britain women's national flag football team represents Great Britain in women's international flag football matches. The sport is governed by the British American Football Association. In 2024, the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) ranked the team 5th worldwide.
Germany 
Denmark 
Sweden 
France 
Italy 
Great Britain 
Israel 
