--- title: "Team USA men's and women's flag football schedule and rosters in Düsseldorf, Germany; First direct Olympic qualifier for flag football." sdDatePublished: "2026-08-12T13:16:00Z" source: "https://www.olympics.com/en/news/ifaf-world-championship-2026-team-usa-preview-schedule-rosters-watch-games-live" topics: - name: "sport" identifier: "medtop:15000000" - name: "sport event" identifier: "medtop:20001108" - name: "sport achievement" identifier: "medtop:20001301" - name: "Olympic Games" identifier: "medtop:20001177" locations: - "Anmore" - "Los Angeles" - "Düsseldorf" - "Mexico" - "Spain" - "Australia" - "Nigeria" - "Israel" - "American Samoa" - "Canada" - "Germany" - "United States" --- Team USA men's and women's flag football schedule and rosters in Düsseldorf, Germany; First direct Olympic qualifier for flag football. IFAF Flag Football World Championships 2026: Team USA men's and women's schedule, full rosters and how to watch live Team USA men's schedule Opponent Date Time (local ET) Round Israel 13 August 13:00 7am Group stage American Samoa 14 August 09:15 3:15am Group stage Australia 14 August 15:30 9:30am Group stage TBD 15 August TBD Quarter-finals TBD 15 August TBD Semi-finals TBD 16 August TBD Finals Team USA women's schedule Opponent Date Time (local ET) Round Australia 13 August 08:00 2am Group stage Nigeria Walkover Walkover Group stage Spain 14 August 11:45 5:45am Group stage TBD 15 August TBD Quarter-finals TBD 15 August TBD Semi-finals TBD 16 August TBD Finals IFAF Flag Football World Championships 2026: Team USA men's and women's schedule, full rosters and how to watch live Discover everything you need to know about Team USA at the IFAF Flag Football World Championships 2026, including the men’s and women’s schedules, full rosters and how to watch the action live. The IFAF Flag Football World Championships 2026 takes place in Düsseldorf, Germany, from 13-16 August, with Team USA entering both the men’s and women’s tournaments as the reigning world champions. The tournament also marks a major milestone on the road to the LA28 Olympic Games , serving as the first direct Olympic qualifying* event for flag football. A total of 16 men's and 16 women's teams will compete in Germany, with the top two teams in each tournament earning a quota for LA28 . The United States is already guaranteed a spot at the next Olympic Games as the host nation. For Team USA, however, the World Championships represents more than a qualification opportunity USA quarterback Nico Caseres explained. “The World Championships for now, until the Olympics rolls around, is the pinnacle of flag football ,” he told Olympics.com. “The World Championships is viewed as the World Cup of flag .” *As National Olympic Committees have the exclusive authority for the representation of their respective teams at the Olympic Games, athletes' participation at the LA Games depends on their NOC selecting them to represent their delegation at LA28. NFL stars weigh in on flag football's debut at LA28 From Jayden Daniels and Davante Adams to Von Miller and Larry Fitzgerald, American football legends talk about the rise of the Olympic version of the sport and what fans can expect for flag football's debut at Los Angeles 2028, as the path to representing Team USA on the global stage gets underway. Team USA men’s flag football group and overview Group A: United States, Israel, American Samoa, Australia The No. 1-ranked United States enters Düsseldorf looking to defend its world title. Team USA has won five consecutive IFAF world titles and six overall, while also being the reigning two-time Americas continental champion. The U.S. also won gold at the World Games in 2022. For all their success, the U.S. team are aware that reputation alone will not be enough to ensure success. “It doesn't matter how many gold medals we win, we're going to go out there and prove that this is where we want to be, and this is who we are,” Team USA wide receiver Ja'Deion High said. Head coach Jorge Cascudo, Housh Doucette, Aamir Brown, and Nico Casares of the US Men's Flag Football Team pose with the Fanatics Flag Football Classic Championship and MVP trophies. The United States will compete in Group A alongside Israel, Australia and American Samoa. Australia, ranked eighth in the world, and American Samoa are both first-time opponents for the United States in IFAF competition, although Australia has faced Team USA in friendly matches. Israel enters the tournament ranked ninth in the world and last faced the United States at the 2018 IFAF World Championship, when the U.S. defeated them in the quarterfinals on their way to the gold medal. American Samoa, meanwhile, will make its debut at the IFAF World Championship. “We want to prove that we're still like the best team in the world,” Team USA's Isaiah Calhoun told Olympics.com. “We want to prove that just by playing and showcasing our talents and IQ on the field, not just relying on who we are.” The Men's USA National Football Team cheers on the Women's USA National Football Team during team practice at Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center on May 22, 2026 in Chula Vista, California. 2026 U.S. men's flag football national team roster Ja'Deion High #88 of the USA National Football Team warms up during team practice at Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center on May 22, 2026 in Chula Vista, California. Team USA women’s flag football group and overview Group B: United States, Spain, Australia, Nigeria The United States women’s team enters the 2026 IFAF World Championship as the defending world champions after defeating Canada in front of the latter's home crowd in Vancouver last time out. The World Championships represents the pinnacle of the women’s international game and carry added significance this time around with Olympic qualification on the line. “Every rep matters,” Team USA receiver Madison Fulford told Olympics.com about her team's preparations for the World Championships. “What's important is that we have depth and just building chemistry throughout that whole time.” For Deliah Autry-Jones, a veteran linebacker and defensive back, representing Team USA also means embracing everything that comes with playing on the international stage. “It’s a huge learning curve if you're coming in and you're new because it's not just a game, it's everything that comes with representing your country, the pressure, building your character, building your leadership skills, and just being in the spotlight all the time,” Autry-Jones said. Isabella Geraci #23 of the USA National Football Team makes a catch during team practice at Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center on May 22, 2026 in Chula Vista, California. The defending champions are paired with European contender Spain, Oceania champions Australia and Nigeria, who won the inaugural IFAF Africa Flag tournament. However, Nigeria has withdrawn from the competition due to travel issues. The United States has recent history against Australia and Spain. Australia made its World Championships debut in 2024 after winning silver at the 2023 Asia-Oceania continental championships. Spain was crowned European champion in 2019, won silver in 2023 and claimed bronze in 2025. Despite already having a guaranteed place at LA28 as the host nation, Team USA is treating the World Championship as an opportunity to establish itself as the world's best team. Blazing trails for women in sport: Meet flag football pioneers Dell’Orto, Stevens and Fuller As flag football builds toward its Olympic debut at LA28, pioneers Nausicaa Dell’Orto, Mona Stevens and Kodie Fuller sit down with Olympics.com reporter Lauren Jones to discuss their role in growing the game worldwide. 2026 U.S. women's flag football national team roster How to watch the IFAF Flag Football World Championship 2026 live The IFAF Flag Football World Championship 2026 will be broadcast internationally, with Olympic qualifying matches on 15 and 16 August available on DAZN and the NFL YouTube channel . Regional broadcast partners include ESPN in Mexico, RTL in Germany, CBC in Canada and NBCUniversal in the United States. Fans can also follow the action live through IFAF Media's YouTube channel . For the latest results, schedules, rosters and Team USA coverage, follow Olympics.com throughout the IFAF Flag Football World Championship 2026. Picture by Kevin C. Cox Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS Getty Images for for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS Flag Football | World Championships | Düsseldorf | Germany