If Australia can translate continental triumphs and their rise in the IFAF world rankings into success at IFAF World Flag 2026, they can be among the medal contenders within a very competitive field in Düsseldorf.
Australia’s men were the highest climber in last year’s IFAF world rankings with an impressive leap of eight places up to eighth overall having won every game and the Oceania and combined Asia-Oceania championships. The women moved up to tenth place having won the Oceania tournament and finished second in the combined final.
A relative newcomer to the world championships, Australia debuted in Finland two years ago after the women had been silver medalists at the 2023 Asia-Oceania continental championships in Malaysia where the men came in fourth.
In Opposition in Düsseldorf
Both teams will face the ultimate challenge in Düsseldorf when they come up against the defending champion the United States and both will face nations for the first time on the world stage.
In Group B, which features teams from four continents, the Aussie women take on world number two USA, a team seeking a fourth straight title who beat them 48-6 in Group A in 2024. They come up against African champion Nigeria and former European champion Spain for the first time
There is also some familiarity for the men who beat American Samoa twice on the way to winning the Oceania tournament at the 2025 IFAF Asia-Oceania Flag tournament, coming out on top 24-18 and 41-12. They face the United States and Israel for the first time in IFAF competition.
Players to Watch
Men: Cody Donlan, defense Women: Abbie Leyshon, offense
IFAF World Championships Pedigree
Australia arrives on the world stage for a second time under a new coaching staff and majority of players who were not part of the Australian teams two years ago.
In 2024 in Finland the women arrived having won the silver medal at the 2023 IFAF Continental Championships in Malaysia and finished third in the group stages after beating Ireland and Sweden but lost to USA and France. That placing earned qualification for the Round of 16 where Japan proved too strong and they finished 16th overall.
The men beat Chile and Cameroon in their group, finishing second to world number two Mexico to advance to the knockout stages. Australia narrowly lost by two points to an Austria team on a charge to the gold medal game and finished 15th overall.
The Coaches
Australia’s coaching approach is unique among teams heading to Düsseldorf in that two coaches oversee both teams with assistant coaches in working under Drew Aumavae and Asai Gilman. The system was successful at IFAF Asia-Oceania Flag 2025.
In Preparation
Australia’s teams are currently in a training camp mode that will run right up until 2026 IFAF World Flag in August.
To support the development of its junior and senior squads, American Football Australia has introduced the Premier Flag League, a semi-professional, four-team competition taking place from April to July. This league provides national athletes with the chance to participate in high-quality games, competing alongside and against other development players. It also offers exposure to top-performing flag football players across the country, who may be scouted and recruited into the national program.
Photo: American Football Australia
