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 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.
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.
USA Football is the governing body of American football in the United States. It is the United States' member of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), and a recognized sports organization of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee. It selects and organizes the U.S. men's national team and the U.S. women's national team in federation-sanctioned international competition. They also organize the men's and women's flag football teams.
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.
The IFAF Women's World Championship is the international championship for women in American football. The first event was held in 2010, in Stockholm, Sweden, with six countries competing. The United States took home the gold while not letting any team they played score. The second event was held in 2013, with Vantaa, Finland, hosting the games. The United States swept the competitors again, winning the gold medal. Third event was played in 2017 with Canada as the host nation. The U.S. took the gold medal for the third time, again beating the host nation Canada in the final.
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 2015 IFAF World Championship was the fifth instance of the IFAF World Championship, an international American football tournament. The United States hosted the tournament. Seven teams had confirmed their participation for the tournament in Canton, Ohio.
The United States women's national American football team represents the United States in international women's American football competitions. It is currently ranked no.1 in the IFAF. It is controlled by USA Football and is recognized by the International Federation of American Football (IFAF).
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.
The United States competed at the 2017 World Games in Wroclaw, Poland, from 20 to 30 July 2017. The U.S. received 22 medals in 19 different events.
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 United States women's national flag football team represents the United States in women's international flag football matches. The sport is governed by USA Football. In 2023, the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) ranked the United States women's team 1st worldwide.
The Mexico women's national flag football team represents Mexico in women's international flag football matches. The sport is governed by the Mexican American Football Federation. In 2023, the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) ranked the Mexico women's team 2nd worldwide.
Darrell "Housh" Doucette is an American flag football player who is a quarterback for the United States national team.
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 Canada women's national flag football team represents Canada in women's international flag football matches. The sport is governed by Football Canada. In 2024, the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) ranked the Canadian women's team 6th worldwide.
The Japan women's national flag football team represents Japan in women's international flag football matches. The sport is governed by Japan American Football Association. In 2024, the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) ranked the team 3rd worldwide.
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Gold (2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2024)
