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Nigeria’s preparations for 2026 IFAF The Flag Football World Championship has received another important boost, with the National Football League (NFL) reaffirming its commitment to supporting the development of the country’s flag football through the Nigerian American Football Federation (NFAF), while the Nigerian men’s and women’s national teams are already in Nairobi, Kenya, for their next phase of international preparations.
The two national teams arrived in Kenya this week ahead of the NFL Adult Flag Football Tournament, scheduled for July 9-10, where they will compete against some of Africa’s top teams as part of their preparation for the World Championship in Dusseldorf, Germany, next month.
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The tournament comes just weeks after Nigeria successfully hosted the Team Nigeria Showcase in Lagos, where the men’s and women’s national teams played friendly matches against All-Star teams as part of preparations for their historic World Championship debut.
The Kenya tournament is another major investment by the NFL in the development of Nigeria, with the league covering international travel, hotel accommodation and all on-field tournament expenses for the men’s and women’s national teams. Nigeria is responsible only for travel documentation, including passports, visas and required vaccinations.
The invitation was extended in an official letter signed by Osi Umenyiora on behalf of the National Football League, inviting Nigeria to participate with the men’s and women’s national teams in Nairobi.
Earlier this year, the NFL also invited the Nigerian American Football Federation to participate in the NFL African Flag Championship in South Africa, another flagship development initiative aimed at expanding grassroots flag football across the continent. Under that program, the NFL also committed to financing flights, accommodation, meals and local logistics for Nigerian representatives.
Beyond providing financial support, the NFL has also made its position clear regarding the administration of the sport in Nigeria.
In response to queries on future development projects, NFL Flag Football International Development Manager, Afia Law, confirmed that all support to Nigeria would be channeled through the Nigerian American Football Federation.
“We would need to support any project through NFAF as it is the recognized governing body.
“I’m not sure what their opinion is at the moment, but any support for Nigeria will depend on the NFAF.”
The statement represents another significant endorsement for the NFAF following the recent confirmation by the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) that it recognizes the federation as the body charged by the Nigerian National Sports Commission with overseeing the sport.
With the Nigerian men’s and women’s national teams now in Nairobi gaining valuable international match experience, attention is increasingly turning to the 2026 IFAF World Flag Football Championship in Düsseldorf, where Nigeria will make history as Africa’s sole representative after winning the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural IFAF African Flag Championship in Egypt.
The Kenya friendlies are expected to give coaches Ephraim Fagha Faloughi and Anireju Oritsewehinmi Ayida another opportunity to fine-tune their teams ahead of the World Championships, which will also serve as the first Olympic qualifying event on the way to Los Angeles 2028.
For Nigerian flag football, the convergence of international recognition from IFAF and sustained investment from the NFL indicates growing global confidence in the country’s programme. As the national teams continue their preparations in Kenya, stakeholders hope the momentum will translate into another historic performance when the world’s best converge in Germany next month.
