150 young athletes from Korea and Japan came together in Gunwi, Korea, for the 2026 Korea–Japan Flag Football International Exchange, a four-day program combining youth competition, cultural exchange and friendship through flag football.
Hosted by the Korea American Football Association (KAFA) with the support of Gunwi County, the exchange brought together young players across the Under 12, Under 15 and Under 17 age divisions.
With the cooperation of the Japan American Football Association (JAFA), youth teams from Japan traveled to Korea for the program, while KAFA welcomed Korean club and school teams from across its youth football community.
The young athletes competed against one another on the flag football field, gaining valuable experience against players from another country and different football backgrounds. However, competition was only one part of the exchange.
Throughout the three-night, four-day program, the Korean and Japanese participants were given opportunities to spend time together away from the field. The schedule included a cultural visit to Gyeongju, one of Korea’s most historic cities, as well as joint recreational activities and exchange programs designed to encourage interaction between the young athletes.
These activities allowed players from both countries to learn more about each other’s culture, communicate beyond the game and build friendships with athletes who share the same passion for flag football.
The event was also attended by Daryll Nathaniel, IFAF Director for Asia, adding further significance to an initiative focused on strengthening international cooperation and developing the next generation of flag football players in the region.
The 2026 program marked the second edition of the Korea–Japan youth exchange, continuing the cooperation between KAFA and JAFA to provide young athletes with opportunities to experience international competition at an early stage of their development.
For KAFA, the exchange is intended to be more than a series of games. International youth competition provides players with exposure to different playing styles and environments while helping them develop confidence, sportsmanship and an international perspective through football.
Following the success of the second edition, KAFA plans to further expand the program in 2027, inviting youth teams from additional countries and developing the exchange into a broader international platform.
The aim is to create more opportunities for young athletes to compete internationally, improve their skills and establish lasting connections with players from different countries, while supporting the continued growth of youth flag football in Korea and across the region.
With flag football set to make its Olympic Games debut at LA28 in Los Angeles, initiatives at the youth level are becoming increasingly important to the sport’s long-term development.
Through continued cooperation with JAFA and future participation from other countries, KAFA hopes the exchange can grow into an annual opportunity for young athletes from across the region to compete together, learn from one another and build friendships through flag football.
