USA Football’s men and women successfully defended their titles at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland on August 30. The U.S. teams, top ranked by IFAF, achieved remarkable records:
– U.S. Men’s Flag National Team: 53-21 victory over Austria (Record: 7-0)
– U.S. Women’s Flag National Team: 31-18 win against Mexico (Record: 8-0)
The competition featured 32 men’s and 23 women’s teams from six continents, making it IFAF’s largest championship to date. Games were held at Lahti Stadium and broadcast on the Olympic Channel and IFAF.TV.
Key highlights:
– Darrell “Housh” Doucette, quarterback for the men’s team, described the squad as one of the greatest, emphasizing their strong defense and consistent performance.
– Vanita Krouch, quarterback for the women’s team, celebrated their three-peat championship, acknowledging the support from her teammates and coaches.
Flag football is rapidly gaining popularity, with:
– 12 states in the U.S. recognizing it as a varsity sport for girls.
– Pathways for collegiate scholarships in women’s flag football.
Approximately 20 million players globally engage in flag football, according to the NFL, with 660 athletes participating in this championship. USA Football fosters sport growth through initiatives like the Junior International Cup, aimed at developing young talent ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut in 2028.
