Updates

For the first time, sixteen of the world’s best flag football teams will compete for gold when The World Games 2022 kick off in Birmingham, Alabama next month. 

The World Games return to the U.S. for the first time since 1981 featuring flag football as an official event, with the tournament set to be played July 10-14. The addition marks a major milestone for the global growth of the popular football format, which is the cornerstone of the NFL’s youth participation strategy.

Flag football joins the sports program, alongside 33 other disciplines at the Olympic-style, multi-sport event, following its inclusion by the International World Games Association (IWGA) in 2020. Flag Football, in partnership with the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), will feature eight men’s and eight women’s teams from around the world. Games will be hosted at Birmingham’s historic Legion Field, creating an unrivalled backdrop to showcase the very best of the dynamic, non-contact sport.

“The World Games is a tremendous platform to showcase flag football as an exciting, competitive, dynamic game that can be played by everyone regardless of age or gender,” said Troy Vincent Sr., NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations. “Flag is one of the fastest growing sports globally and The World Games will accelerate that growth as the flag championships inspire that football is for all."

As reigning world champions, the U.S. men’s and women’s teams have both pre-qualified for the tournament. The U.S. National Flag Football teams are assembled and managed by USA Football, the sport’s national governing body and a member of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. The remaining 14 teams earned their place through IFAF’s international qualifying process.

The following nations will participate in this year’s games:

“We are thrilled to have flag football join the official sports program at The World Games for the first time,” said Pierre Trochet, President of IFAF. “This is a milestone in the sport’s development and a fantastic opportunity to showcase flag as a truly world-class, international sport. 

The World Games 2022 Birmingham will take place from July 7-17. The Flag Football competition kicks off with preliminary matches from July 10-11 and playoffs starting July 12. The tournament concludes with the finals on July 14, when the first flag football medals of The World Games will be awarded. NFL Network will broadcast an enhanced package of the men’s and women’s gold medal games on July 21 with Rhett Lewis and NFL Legends Michael Robinson and Maurice Jones-Drew on the call. NFL Legends Bobby Taylor and Tony Richardson will be on site for the flag football competitions as honorary Legends captains.

For more information about The World Games 2022’s flag football competition, visit https://twg2022.com/flag-football/.