Nigeria’s preparations for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships have received another significant boost, with the National Football League (NFL) reaffirming its commitment to supporting the country’s flag football development through the Nigeria Federation of American Football (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 leading sides as part of their build-up to the World Championships in Düsseldorf, Germany, next month.
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 selections as part of preparations for their historic World Championship debut.
The Kenya tournament is another major investment by the NFL in Nigeria’s development, with the league covering international travel, hotel accommodation and all on-ground tournament expenses for both 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 both male and female national teams in Nairobi.
Earlier this year, the NFL also invited the Nigeria Federation of American Football to participate in the NFL Flag Africa Championships in South Africa, another flagship development initiative aimed at expanding grassroots flag football across the continent. Under that programme, the NFL equally committed to funding flights, accommodation, meals and local logistics for Nigeria’s representatives.
Beyond providing financial support, the NFL has also made its position clear regarding the administration of the sport in Nigeria.
Responding to enquiries on future development projects, the NFL’s International Flag Football Development Manager, Afia Law, confirmed that all support for Nigeria would be channelled through the Nigeria Federation of American Football.
“We would need to support any projects via NFAF since they are the recognised governing body.
“I’m not sure where this sits with them at the moment, but it would come down to NFAF for any support for Nigeria.”
The statement represents another significant endorsement for the NFAF following the recent confirmation by the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) that it recognises the federation as the body charged by Nigeria’s 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 toward the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Düsseldorf, where Nigeria will make history as Africa’s sole representative after winning both the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural IFAF Africa Flag Championships in Egypt.
The Kenya friendlies are expected to provide Coaches Ephraim Fagha Faloughi and Anireju Oritsewehinmi Ayida with another opportunity to fine-tune their squads before the World Championships, which will also serve as the first Olympic qualifying event on the road to Los Angeles 2028.
For Nigerian flag football, the convergence of international recognition from IFAF and sustained investment from the NFL signals growing global confidence in the country’s programme. As the national teams continue their preparations in Kenya, stakeholders will be hoping the momentum translates into another historic performance when the worlds best converge in Germany next month.