2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships: Overview, Group Breakdown, and Viewing Options
The 2024 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Flag Football World Championships are set to unfold from August 27 to August 30 in Lahti, Finland. This prestigious tournament not only showcases the finest flag football talents globally but also serves as a precursor to the sport’s inclusion in the Olympic Games scheduled for Los Angeles in 2028. Flag football, a dynamic variant of American football, emphasizes advancing the ball through strategic offensive plays into the opposition’s end zone.
Hosted at the Pajulahti Olympic Training Centre in southern Finland, the Championships will feature an impressive roster of competitors, with 32 men’s teams and 23 women’s teams vying for the coveted world titles. The men’s tournament is organized into eight groups, wherein the top two teams from each group will proceed to the knockout stages. Conversely, the women’s event comprises five groups, with the top three teams advancing alongside the best fourth-place finisher entering the round of 16.
The United States proudly returns as the defending champion for both the men’s and women’s divisions, having triumphed over Mexico in their respective finals held three years prior. In the men’s group stage, the US team will face an all-European lineup, competing against Spain, Brazil, and Serbia. Meanwhile, the US women’s national team will encounter formidable opponents in Australia, France, Sweden, and Ireland.
Attention should also be directed toward other ambitious contenders in the men’s tournament, such as Germany, Austria, and France. Additionally, teams like Panama and Italy, both of whom made it to the semifinals in 2021, are eager to enhance their performance and aspire for a place in the finals on August 30. On the women’s side, Japan and Great Britain will seek to pose a significant challenge to the United States, while Mexico aims to redeem itself by securing its first world championship title since 2012 after being defeated in the finals.
The competition will commence on August 27 with group stage matches spread over four days, culminating in the final medal rounds on August 30. For those interested in following the action, the complete schedule is accessible via the official IFAF website.
Viewers can anticipate watching the Flag Football World Championships through televised broadcasts and digital live streams across various regions, including the Olympic Channel via Olympics.com, with certain territorial restrictions applicable. Coverage in the United States will be provided by ESPN and ABC, offering audiences the chance to witness this thrilling international sporting event.
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