The world’s elite men’s and women’s flag football national teams will illuminate IFAF World Flag 2026 in Germany next summer – and now they know their group stages opponents.

Teams representing 18 nations from five continents will compete at the home of the New England Patriots at the Düsseldorf Flag Football Complex from August 13-16 at the biggest and most important global flag football event before the LA28 Olympics.

The annual IFAF world rankings, which will be released in full on November 26, determine the group placings using a serpentine method. Mexico’s women won the gold medal at both The World Games and IFAF Americas Flag 2025 this summer to top the rankings for the first time. In the men’s rankings, the United States remain in first place.

“Being ranked number one in the world is an incredible honor for our team and Mexico, a reflection of years of work, sacrifice, and the unbreakable spirit that defines us,” said Mexico quarterback Diana Flores. “As we look ahead to the World Championships in Düsseldorf and ultimately the LA 2028 Olympic Games, we’re more motivated than ever to keep evolving, raising the standard for our sport, and representing Mexico with pride.”

The IFAF World Championship is expected to form a part of the qualification pathway for LA28. As with all sports on the programme, flag football’s Olympic qualification system is currently in the final stages of approval with the IOC. Full details will be announced in the coming weeks.

IFAF World Flag 2026 Women’s Groups

In the women’s competition, newly crowned world number one Mexico will face two Top 10 ranked nations in Italy  and hosts Germany, along with surprise qualifier from this year’s IFAF Euro Flag 2025 Slovenia in Group A.

In Group B, deposed world number one and defending world champion the United States is paired with European contender Spain and two continental champions in Oceania winner Australia and conqueror of the first IFAF Africa Flag tournament Nigeria.

IFAF Euro Flag champion Great Britain successfully defended their continental title this year and was the only women’s team to win every continental championship game. They head Group C along with fellow European powerhouses Austria and France. Completing a challenging group is Asia and Asia-Oceania double champion China.

Group D sees IFAF Americas Flag silver medalist Canada face 2024 IFAF World Championships bronze medalist Japan, and a pair of Americas qualifiers in Panama and Brazil..

IFAF World Flag 2026 Men’s Groups (world ranking)

In the men’s competition, in Group A the Unites States’ pursuit of a fourth straight world title sees the powerhouse take on an Australia team that won every game in claiming both the 2025 Oceania and Asia-Oceania titles. They are joined by free-scoring Israel and first-time qualifier American Samoa.

Beaten finalists in last year’s IFAF World Championships and 2025 Euro Flag, Austria head Group B and are joined by Asia champions Japan, the bronze medalist at Americas Flag Canada and winner of the first IFAF Africa Flag tournament Nigeria.

In Group C Mexico will face Switzerland who beat them in the bronze medal game at the last world championships, along with host Germany and fifth-placed Americas qualifier Brazil.

European champion Italy is in Group D alongside the two nations that played for third place at Euro Flag 2025, bronze medalist France and Great Britain, and with fourth place finisher at the IFAF Americas Panama.

The schedule for IFAF World Flag 2026 will be announced during the buildup to the tournament.