NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has recognized flag football as a "global sport" amid the IFAF Flag Football World Championships being concluded. Earlier, Goodell also hinted at the potential participation of NFL players at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

The World Championships took place in Düsseldorf, Germany, from August 13 to August 16, and NFL Commissioner Goodell was delighted by the atmosphere throughout the event.

"What I see here is incredible competition," he said. "The games have been amazing, and the play has been outstanding. And then fandom. You see the fandom. You know, we've turned people away. And I think it's a signal that the sport has truly become a global sport. And to be part of the Olympics is going to be amazing."

Goodell said this in an on-field interview, per NFL on X. The World Championships saw the U.S. men clinch the title, beating Italy 46-26, while Canada won the women's title after defeating the U.S. women 27-20.

Meanwhile, Mexico’s women's team and Canada’s men's team earned qualification spots for the 2028 Olympic Games. Flag football will make its Olympic debut after the International Olympic Committee announced its inclusion in October 2023.

Being a safer variant of the classic American football, it promotes no-contact sports with defenders needing to remove two flags from the carrier's waist.

While Goodell is happy to see flag football grow as one of the sports for the Olympic Games, he has also pointed out the NFL's involvement in it.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on potential NFL players taking part in the Olympic Games

While flag football is set to make its Olympic debut in 2028 in Los Angeles, Goodell did say that NFL players are interested in participating on one of the biggest stages in sports.

"I've had a lot of players who have said, 'We want to participate in that'," Goodell said on June 18 on ESPN's Women's Sports Now podcast. "These players are competitors, and they love the big stage. To win a gold medal or any medal is something I think they would all treasure. They talk about it all the time."

The U.S. men have won four consecutive World Championship titles and will look to continue their dominance in their Olympic debut.

Meanwhile, U.S. women have become world champions twice and will want to avenge their 27-20 finals loss at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, which will run from July 12 to July 30, 2028.

As the craze for flag football grows, the involvement of NFL players could make it even more intriguing.

Written by

Dhruv Singh

Edited by

Rudra Dubey