The IOC defines the path for flag football heading towards Los Angeles 2028

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has approved the qualification system for flag football’s historic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The first teams to secure their spots will be the top‑ranked men’s and women’s squads at the Flag Football World Championships in Düsseldorf, Germany, taking place August 13–16 of this year.

How Olympic qualification will work

The Olympic tournament will feature 12 teams total — six men’s and six women’s. With both U.S. teams already qualified as hosts, the remaining 10 spots will be awarded through a two‑year qualification process, according to the Spanish Federation of American Football (FEFA).

In 2027, the road to the Olympics continues with the continental championships organized by the International Federation of American Football (IFAF). The top two men’s and women’s teams from each continent — Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania — that have not yet qualified will advance to a final qualifying event.

Final Olympic qualifying series in 2028

That last step will be the Olympic Qualifying Series, scheduled for spring or summer 2028. Ten men’s teams and ten women’s teams will compete, and the top three in each tournament will claim the final spots for Los Angeles 2028.

A milestone for flag football

Flag football will appear in the Olympic program for the first time in Los Angeles, joining other returning or debuting sports such as baseball/softball, cricket (T20 format), lacrosse (Sixes), and squash.

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