ABOUT IFAF
IFAF
HISTORY
HISTORY
The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) is the international governing body for the sport of American football and is responsible for all regulatory, competition, performance and development aspects of the game on a global level.
IFAF HISTORY
1896
The first national American Football federation outside of the United States was founded in Canada in 1896, as Canada already had a long history with Canadian football.
1936
Japan was also an early adopter of American football, establishing its national federation in 1936.
1976
The first European federation was formed in 1976.
1998
In 1998 the International Federation of American Football was officially formed.
2003
IFAF became formal signatories of the World Anti-Doping Code
2005
IFAF became formal members of SportAccord.
American Football featured as an invitational sport at The World Games in Duisburg, Germany. Tackle football would feature again in 2017 in Wroclaw, Poland.
American Football featured as an invitational sport at The World Games in Duisburg, Germany. Tackle football would feature again in 2017 in Wroclaw, Poland.
2013
IFAF became provisionally recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
2014
Federation Internationale du Sport Universitaire (FISU) staged the first World University Championship for American Football in Uppsala, Sweden.
2022
Flag Football featured at The World Games at the legendary Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama.
2023
IFAF was granted Recognised Status by the IOC at the 140th IOC Session in Mumbai, India.
Flag Football was approved by the IOC for inclusion in the programme of the Olympic Games to be held in Los Angeles in 2028.
Flag Football was approved by the IOC for inclusion in the programme of the Olympic Games to be held in Los Angeles in 2028.
2024
IFAF is granted Associate Member status of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF).
IFAF is granted Full Member status of the International World Games Association (IWGA).
IFAF is granted Full Member status of the International World Games Association (IWGA).
2025
The IFAF Congress formally approves a move of the legal seat from Paris to Lausanne, Switzerland.
