igeria and Egypt emerged as the top performers at the 2026 NFL Flag Africa Continental Championship, with Nigeria winning the women’s and youth titles while Egypt secured the men’s championship during the historic tournament held in Nairobi.
Organized by the National Football League (NFL) in consultation with the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), the championship brought together athletes from five African nations competing under internationally recognized flag football rules as the sport continues its rapid growth ahead of its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
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Nigeria defeated Egypt to claim the women’s championship, while Egypt avenged the loss by defeating Nigeria in the men’s final. Nigeria’s youth team also captured the Continental Youth Championship after defeating Ghana. South Africa earned bronze medals in both the men’s and youth competitions, while host nation Kenya secured bronze in the women’s division.
The three-day tournament marked another important milestone in the development of flag football across Africa, bringing together national federations, coaches, referees, and young athletes from across the continent.
Beyond the competition itself, the event featured a series of youth development activities, coaching and officiating education programmes, and an elite talent identification camp through the NFL Africa initiative. Organizers said the championship reflects the league’s long-term commitment to expanding participation, strengthening the sport’s infrastructure, and creating new opportunities for African athletes.
“The NFL Flag Africa Continental Championship reflects the continued growth of flag football around the world,” said Brian Flinn, NFL Senior Vice President of Global Flag Football. He noted that as the sport builds momentum toward its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028, events such as the African championship are helping establish a stronger foundation while creating meaningful opportunities for players at every level.
Pierre Trochet, President of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), praised the tournament and congratulated the participating athletes, coaches, and national federations for contributing to a successful championship. He said the event demonstrated the increasing competitiveness of African flag football and reaffirmed the shared commitment of the NFL and IFAF to expand opportunities for athletes across the continent.
Flag football has become one of the world’s fastest-growing sports, with more than 20 million players participating in over 100 countries. Growth has been particularly strong among youth players and girls, with increasing international investment in grassroots development and competitive pathways.
The NFL Africa programme, led by former NFL star Osi Umenyiora, continues to drive the expansion of American football across Africa through fan engagement, talent identification, and NFL Flag development initiatives. The programme aims to create opportunities for young athletes while strengthening the continent’s connection to the sport. Today, more than 145 players of African descent are represented on NFL rosters.
With flag football preparing for its Olympic debut in 2028, the success of the Africa Continental Championship highlights the sport’s growing popularity and Africa’s expanding role in its global development.
