The Executive Committee of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) this weekend approved the LA28 Olympic qualification system for Flag Football, developed in collaboration with the International Federation of American Football (IFAF). Read more about the route for countries seeking to qualify for the first Olympic Flag Football events here.

A total of six men's and six women's teams are welcome to Los Angeles. Host America has automatically qualified for both the men's and women's competitions. The remaining five places for the women's and men's teams will be divided over a two-year period, beginning with the revamped IFAF Flag Football World Championships. These will take place August 13-16 this year in Düsseldorf, Germany.

The top two seeded teams in both the men's and women's tournaments - with the exception of the U.S. - will each receive a direct ticket to Los Angeles 2028 in Düsseldorf.

For the rest, the qualification journey continues through the 2027 IFAF Continental Championships. The top two best-placed men's and women's teams from each continent (Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania) - excluding teams that have already qualified - earn the right to advance to a final qualifying tournament.

This ‘last chance’ tournament, featuring a total of 10 women's and 10 men's teams, will take place as part of the Olympic Qualifying Series - a multi-sport event to be held in the spring/summer of 2028. Full details of this Olympic Qualifying Series, including exact dates and location, will be announced later this year.

During the Olympic Qualifying Series, the final qualifying spots for LA28 Flag Football will be awarded to the three best-placed teams in both the men's and women's teams.