Updates

Pierre Trochet, President of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) and Troy Vincent Sr., Executive Vice President, NFL Football Operations have been announced as co-chairs of the newly formed Vision28 Group to lead flag football's efforts towards inclusion at Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028.

The announcement was made on the sidelines of The World Games 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama, where flag football made a milestone first appearance at a major, global multi-sport event. The NFL is a presenting partner of flag football at the games, which have seen eight women's and eight men's teams representing 10 countries from across three continents play at iconic Legion Field in a series of electrifying contests.

"It's an honor to work alongside Troy [Vincent] to realize our shared ambition of flag football in the Olympic Games,” said Trochet. “This joint leadership sends a clear message about the strength of our shared belief in everything flag football can bring to the Olympic Games and the Olympic movement.”

As co-chairs of the Vision28 group, Trochet and Vincent will spearhead efforts to build on flag's World Games success with an eye on inclusion as an additional sport at the Olympic Games LA28. The double appointment underscores the true partnership between IFAF and the NFL – and the strength of both organizations' commitment to deliver flag football’s Olympic dream. 

"We see flag football as an all-inclusive sport,” said Vincent. “Which makes it a great vehicle to spread the values of American football around the world.”

The Vision28 group will bring together key executives and ambassadors from IFAF, the NFL and the wider American football community, with a mission to showcase everything flag football can offer to LA28 and the Olympic movement. 

Flag football is a fast, non-contact format of American football, which is the United States' most popular sport. Flag is played by teams of five and prioritizes speed, creativity and athleticism. It is also adaptable to a wide range of venues – stadiums, indoor arenas and temporary urban sports parks – making it a flexible and low-cost proposition for multi-sport event organizers. 

Flag football is a cornerstone of the NFL's participation and development strategy and a growing focus for the organization. Internationally, it is one of the fastest-growing sports, already played by men and women through IFAF programs in more than 100 countries. The game has great potential for further growth thanks to its highly accessible and inclusive qualities, notably as a platform for female participation in American football.