What is IFAF?
The International Federation of American Football is the world governing body of the sport — founded in 1998, recognized by the International Olympic Committee, headquartered in Lausanne, and uniting 75+ national federations across every continent, USA Football included.[1] [2]
What does IFAF govern?
International competition in tackle and flag football: the IFAF World Championships, continental championships, and the world rankings of national teams — plus the sport's Olympic project, flag football's men's and women's 5v5 debut at Los Angeles 2028. The 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Düsseldorf doubled as the first LA28 qualifier.[2] [3]
Who leads it?
President Pierre Trochet of France, re-elected at the Lausanne Congress, co-chairs the Vision28 group with the NFL's Troy Vincent to steer the Olympic effort.[4]
Why does IFAF matter?
IFAF selection is the sport's national-team credential — the only route to world championships and, from 2028, the Olympic Games — making its competitions and rankings the international paper trail of American football.[2] [3]
References
- IOC — IFAF, recognized international federation. Accessed August 2026.
- IFAF — official site. Accessed August 2026.
- Olympics.com — First LA28 quotas at the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships. Accessed August 2026.
- American Football International — Trochet re-elected IFAF President in Lausanne. Accessed August 2026.