As one of the most decorated nations in IFAF flag football history on the world stage in both the men’s and women’s tournaments, France looks to return to medal contention for the first time in 2012.
Spearheading that challenge in Düsseldorf will be a new coaching staff for both teams after changes were made despite the men claiming bronze and the women finishing fourth on home soil at Euro Flag 2025.
The men’s team finished second to Israel in Group C last year then edged past world championship bronze medalist Switzerland in the quarterfinals before losing by one score to Austria in the semis. The third-place finish came courtesy of a 34-20 victory over Great Britain. That medal increased momentum towards this summer’s tournament after a fifth-place finish last time around at the worlds and they are currently ranked fifth in the world.
The world’s 11th ranked French women topped their group C at Euro Flag, which included a win over former champion Spain, then cruised past Italy in the quarterfinals before losing to Great Britain. The bronze medal game was an agonizing 41-40 defeat to Spain.
France will be among Europe’s medal contenders when they take the field in Germany in August.
In Opposition in Düsseldorf
The men’s team lines up against two familiar European opponents in Italy and Great Britain and faces Panama from the Americas.
France knocked Great Britain out of the playoffs at the 2024 IFAF World Championships in Finland in a thrilling 37-36 win, then edged Italy 46-40 in the battle for fifth place. They also beat GB to claim bronze at Euro Flag 2025.
The women find themselves arguably the toughest group in Düsseldorf, lining up against two-time reigning European champion Great Britain, silver medalist from two years ago Austria and an emerging China team.
France lost in the semifinals of Euro Flag 2025 to GB with less than a minute remaining and lost twice to them in 2023 but beat Austria the last time they faced them at the 2023 Euros. They have never faced China in international competition.
Players to Watch
Men: Said Wadjihe, defensive back
Women: Lucie Vinot, center
IFAF World Championships Pedigree
France’s men are the third-most decorated nation in IFAF Flag Football World Championship history behind only the United States in Austria. The nation’s lone world title came in Korea in 2006 when Denmark was defeated 46-32 in the gold medal game. That success followed a pair of bronze medal wins at the first two world events in 2002 with a 12-6 win over Austria and in 2004 when Japan was beaten 40-23.
The last French medal was a third bronze in 2008 when the United States was destroyed 45-0 before the Americans came back with a vengeance to dominate the competition. France finished seventh in 2021 and climbed up to fifth place in 2024.
The women also boast four IFAF world championships medals and won gold in 2006 in Korea having been runners up at the inaugural 2002 event. Bronze followed in 2008 and 2012 with wins over the United States and Austria respectively. A seventh-place finish in Israel in 2021 was followed by a round of 16 loss to Spain and 11th place overall.
The Coaches
Mathias Torre is an experience tackle and flag football coach who takes charge of the men’s team in Düsseldorf. From 2000 to 2016 he served as a coach for the French national tackle team, holding key leadership roles as the offensive coordinator for the U19 squad and defensive coordinator for the Senior team and has coached every position. He won three European Championship titles in 2000 and 2004 with the U19s and in 2016 with the seniors having participated in ten World Championships and ten European Championships representing France.
Women’s head coach Thomas Perillat is a former national team player for France from 2019 to 2021. He has been involved with the national team programs since 2023 and most notably as the defensive coordinator of the men’s team for their third place finish in at Euro Flag 2025.
In Preparation
Like many nations preparing for World Flag 2026, France has completed tryouts to identify a squad of players that will be cut down to the 12 men and 12 women who will head to Germany this summer.
