The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) has officially named Egypt as the host of AFRICA FLAG 2025, the inaugural IFAF African Flag Football Championships, set to take place from June 20 to 21, 2025, in Cairo.
This milestone event marks the first IFAF Continental Championship in Africa, with top men’s and women’s national flag football teams from across the continent competing for qualification to the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships. It also plays a key role in the buildup to the sport’s historic debut at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles (LA28).
“With the announcement of the first ever IFAF Continental Championships in Africa, we are taking another step in the global development of our sport,” said IFAF President Pierre Trochet.
Hosted in collaboration with the National Football League (NFL) and the Egyptian Federation of American Football (EFAF), AFRICA FLAG 2025 will also feature a comprehensive youth development initiative. The NFL is extending its NFL Africa program to Egypt for the first time, bringing in development activities, youth tournaments, and talent identification events to inspire the next generation of African football athletes.
As part of these efforts, U12 boys and girls teams from Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria will compete in the NFL Flag Continental Championship, culminating in a final game on June 23. This initiative, through the NFL Flag program, promotes non-contact football among youth globally.
The NFL will also host a talent identification showcase in Cairo, featuring standout prospects from across Africa. Those selected could progress to the NFL Academy Europe-Africa program in the U.K. or join the International Player Pathway (IPP) program, both part of the NFL’s international development pipeline.
Several current and former NFL players will attend and support the event, including Bobby Okereke (New York Giants, Nigeria), Brian Asamoah II (Minnesota Vikings, Ghana), and Dieter Eiselen (NFL Free Agent, South Africa). These athletes are not only lending their expertise on the ground but also assisting with football operations and youth outreach.
“Expanding NFL Africa to Egypt is a huge moment,” said NFL Africa Lead and two-time Super Bowl champion Osi Umenyiora. “It will be a great weekend of football, and one that will create a powerful legacy.”
The momentum for flag football in Africa is tangible. At the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships, Cameroon made history as the first African nation to compete. Since 2023, Egypt and Nigeria have recorded 149% and 85% increases, respectively, in participation. Nigeria’s national outreach program has reached over 13,000 youth alone.
To sustain this momentum, IFAF and the NFL recently held a three-day clinic in Ghana (April 11–13), educating coaches and referees from 10 African nations, including Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa.
Since 2022, NFL Africa has hosted youth football events across Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria, supporting structured growth of flag football on the continent.
“We are extremely proud to be hosting the first ever AFRICA FLAG 2025 in Cairo,” said EFAF Founder Ali Rafeek. “Hosting this tournament allows us to put a spotlight on our talented athletes.”
“It’s an opportunity to showcase the incredible talent and passion rising throughout Africa,” added Egyptian Women’s National Team quarterback Amira Nader.
The Continental Championships serve as a key stepping stone toward the 2026 IFAF World Championships and eventually LA28, reinforcing structured pathways for flag football worldwide. The 2024 IFAF World Championships featured 31 nations and marked the sport’s most competitive global tournament to date.
With flag football now played by over 20 million athletes in more than 100 countries, the sport’s inclusion in LA28 and initiatives like AFRICA FLAG 2025 underscore its rapid ascent and global appeal.
Participating nations for AFRICA FLAG 2025 and further details on other 2025 Continental Championships will be announced in the coming weeks.
