The biggest challenger among the men’s teams looking to unseat the United States from the IFAF Flag Football World Championships throne might well emerge from Europe.
Italy lifted the IFAF Euro Flag title last year, defeating Austria in the gold medal game, and will head to Düsseldorf full of confidence that a medal could be within their sights for the first time since 2014 when they won bronze. A place on the podium could also seal qualification for LA28.
With seasoned quarterback Luke Zahradka at the helm and a host of imposing receiving targets at his disposal, Italy pose a true threat from the host continent. If USA is the team to beat, Italy will take heart from having pushed them all the way in a 46-21 defeat in Finland two years ago and in the gold medal game at The World Games in 2022.
Italy’s women are rebuilding with a qualification for the Olympic Games very much top of mind, if not because of success in Düsseldorf, then through the 2027 Euros and LA28 qualifying tournament.
Replacing Spain at late notice last year was always going to pose a challenge at The World Games, where Italy was unable to muster a win and finished eighth overall. An 18-12 win over Ukraine at Euro Flag 2025 secured seventh place overall and a place at this year’s worlds.
In Opposition in Düsseldorf
Currently ranked fourth in the world, Italy’s men find themselves in a tough Group D with fifth-ranked France, the Great Britain side they eliminated in the semifinals of the 2025 Euros and bronze medalist at last year’s Americas Panama. At the last IFAF world championships, France edged Italy 46-40 in the battle for fifth place.
The women line up against three teams who beat them in competition last year in world number one Mexico, host Germany and surprise qualifier Slovenia. Mexico was a convincing 46-7 victor over Italy at The World Games, while Germany beat them 42-12 at Euro Flag 2025 and Slovenia also ran out winners at the Euros.
Players to Watch
Men: Luke Zahradka, quarterback
Women: Andrea Ferro, wide receiver
IFAF World Championships Pedigree
Italy’s men won bronze at the 2010 games and at the 2014 event on home soil, beating Canada on both occasions. Group winners at the 2021 world championships in Israel, Italy beat Austria in the quarterfinals before an agonizing one-point loss to Mexico in the semis and a bronze medal game defeat to Panama by five points.
Last time around Italy again topped their group but then having beaten Germany in the first knockout stage met the United States in the quarterfinals and finished sixth overall.
The women are yet to contest a medal in the IFAF World Championships and finished eighth in both 2024 and 2021.
The Coaches
Massimiliano Bonomo led Italy to the European crown last year. He has a coaching background exclusively in flag football. He played tackle football, while in flag he served as offensive coordinator at the 2015 European Championship in Spain and the 2016 IFAF World Championship in Miami, and as Defensive Coordinator at the U17 Junior European Championships in Grosseto 2023 and Belgrade 2024.
Jon Homer took over at short notice before Italy’s women’s team headed to Paris last year for Euro Flag 2025 and served as defensive coordinator for the U17 boys team at the IFAF European Youth Flag Football Championships in Innsbruck. He will continue in that role on home soil this year when Italy hosts the 2026 tournament.
Homer has won national tackle championships with the Manchester Titans where he was also the general manager and has coached American football since his playing career ended in 2014.
In Preparation
Both squads have trained monthly since the tail end of last year and continue to meet up in numbers that will be trimmed down to the final rosters that will represent Italy in Düsseldorf.
