World Football in this instance refers to both the Leagues of Southern Continents other than South America (Oceania and Africa) as well as the American Football World Cup and United States of America and Canadian Football Teams on Tours abroad. World Flag Football is also presented on this page. Where possible an Irish Connection has been found.
American Football World Cups
Oceania American Football
Since the 1980s American Football Leagues have been organised in Australia & New Zealand, with State Leagues in each of Australia’s six states as well as the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) and Leagues in three of New Zealand’s Provinces.
In addition Australian States play for the Outback Bowl, and the Champions of each State and Territory play in the Southern Cross Tournament for the right to call themselves Australian Club Champions. New Zealand’s Provinces also play for the National Provincial Championship.
Picture Credit: [Australia 1] Gridiron Australia Twitter (2020) Profile Picture, svQ6AuTx_400x400 [Internet] Available from: https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1038406427881041920/svQ6AuTx_400x400.jpg [Accessed 4 July 2020]
Gridiron Australia
Gridiron Australia; ACTGL: Gridiron NSW; Gridiron Queensland; Gridiron South Australia; Gridiron Tasmania; Gridiron Victoria; Gridiron West
Australian State Championships:
Australian Inter-State Millennium Tournament (Seasons): 2000
Australian Capital Territory Gridiron League
Australian Capital Territory Gridiron League 2000-2009
Gridiron New South Wales
Gridiron New South Wales Mens Competition 2018-2019
Gridiron New South Wales Mens Competition (Seasons):
Gridiron New South Wales Mens AA Competition (2nd Division) (Seasons):
Gridiron Queensland
Gridiron Queensland Mens Competition (Seasons):
Gridiron South Australia
Gridiron South Australia Seniors 1986-1989
Gridiron Tasmania
Tasmanian Gridiron League 1999-2002
Gridiron Victoria
Victorian Gridiron Football League 1988-1989
Victorian Gridiron Football League 1999-2001
Gridiron West (Western Australia)
Gridiron West Open Mens Competition (Western Australia) 2015-2020
[New Zealand 1] Gridiron NZ Wayback Machine (2001) head_left [Internet] Available from: https://web.archive.org/web/20010118001900im_/http://gridiron.co.nz/images/head_left.gif [Accessed 4 July 2020]
Gridiron New Zealand
GNZ; American Football Auckland; American Football Canterbury;
Gridiron New Zealand
GNZ National Provincial Championship (Seasons): 2000
American Football Auckland
Auckland Premier Gridiron League (Seasons): 1999-2000
American Football Canterbury
American Football Canterbury (Seasons): 2018
American Football Wellington
American Football Wellington (Seasons): 2019
Africa American Football
The Egyptian American Football league is currently the only fully kitted contact American Football League in Africa, although there are Flag Football Leagues (Tag) in Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Kenya, Nigeria and Ivory Coast. There was also a 9-man Football League in Morocco in 2019. There are Women’s Flag Leagues as well as Men’s.
Picture Credit: [6] Egyptian Federation of American Football | LinkedIn(2017) EFAF Logo [Internet] Available from: https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4D0BAQHhb8GPhZPm6A/company-logo_200_200/0?e=2159024400&v=beta&t=wvZqwzqs_OyJmTs3OcIDMbsDhW9i_3knkZcSo3gZP44 [Accessed 11 May 2020]
North African American Football
EFAF (Egypt); AMFA (Morocco)
Egypt
EFAF Egyptian Federation of American Football
EFAF Egyptian National Football League (Bowl Games – Contact Football):
Egyptian National Football League Egyptian Bowl 2015-Present
Morocco
AMFA Association Marocaine de Football Américain
AMFA Morrocan Football League (9-Man Contact Football)
World Professional Football Leagues
The NFL (National Football League) has promoted World Leagues in different continents down through the years. There were no Irish teams in these leagues unless you include the EuroSteelers of the European League (UK Conference) in 1993 (precursor to AFL Europe). the four teams of the UK Conference were intended to represent the four regions of the UK, with the EuroBears, EuroRaiders and EuroMonarchs the other three. The Pittsburgh Steelers were the designated home team for the NFL game in Dublin with the Chicago Bears.
[1] European League of Football Facebook Page (2021) Profile Picture, February 4, 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/europeanleagueoffootball/photos/a.100150555247238/159345569327736/ [Accessed 27 April 2021]
World American Football Leagues have been around since 1991 when the National Football League (NFL) established the World League of American Football in USA, Canada and Europe.
Since then they have reached India and China, as well as the Legends Football Leagues (Women’s) establishing Leagues in Canada, Australia and Mexico
World Football Leagues
World Pro American Football Leagues (Bowl Games):
World Pro American Football Leagues Bowl Games 1991-2019
Major Alternative Football Leagues Standings:
World Pro American Football Leagues (Overviews):
Amsterdam Crusaders Independent Schedule American Football Team 2018
Pretty Girls Football League (Mexico) 2014-2017
China Arena Football League 2016-2019
Legends Football League Global 2012-2014
Elite Football league of India 2012
United Football League 2009-2011
National Football League Europe 1998-2007
World League of American Football 1995-1997
American Football League of Europe 1993-1995
Hamburg Blue Devils Independent Schedule American Football Team 1993
World League of American Football 1991-1992
World Football Leagues (Seasons)
China Arena Football League 2019
Amsterdam Crusaders Independent Schedule 2018
Legends Football League Australia 2013-14
Lingerie Football League Canada 2012-13
American Football League of Europe 1995
European League of American Football 1993
Hamburg Blue Devils Independent Schedule 1993
Leagues which failed to start
International League of American Football 1990
Irish-born Professional World Football Players
Irish-Born World Professional Players, Coaches & Personnel:
Panthers Wrooclaw ELF (2021), Aviators TSL (2021)
Emmett Waldron | Irish-Born Pro & College American Football Player 1993-1999
(Rice Owls (NCAA), Scottish Claymores (WLAF-NFLE))
Linda Holland | Irish-Born Pro Legends-Arena American Football Player 2014
(Western Australia Angels (LFL Australia))
International American Football – Professional and College Teams
International and Inter-League Gridiron Football has been played since at least the 1920s.
The first match that could be described as an International Gridiron or American Football match is the one between two AFL teams in Canada in 1926. Following this the NFL and AFL played a series of matches between the Leagues in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s.
In 1941 the first Canadian Football League v American Football League matches were held, and in 1950 the first match between a National Football League team and a Canadian Football League team.
Beginning in the 1970s, there were attempts at promoting American Football in Europe, through the Intercontinental Football League, and from there the World. In 1976 the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Chargers played in Tokyo. In 1984 two United States Football League teams played in London, and in 1986 the first NFL American Bowl preseason game was held in London.
In 1999 the first World Cup was held, involving USA, Canada, as well as four other Nations which have to qualify through a series of matches.
In 2007 the NFL decided to promote the NFL in London, Mexico City and Toronto with the International Series of Regular Season games, which have run until the present
Major Inter-League American Football
American Football League (1926); NFL v AFLs 1927-1936; NFL v Army 1942
American Football League International
American Football League International 1926
National Football League v American Football Leagues 1927-1942
Whilst not strictly speaking International matches, the National Football League has also played matches against American Football League teams in the 1920s, 1930s, & 1940s.
National Football League v American Football League 1927-1928
California Winter League 1927-1928
Memphis Tigers | AAA Independent American Football 1929-1933
National Football League v Pacific Coast Football League 1936
Picture Credit: [International 1] Ninety-Nine Yards, Chris Lawton (2020) An International Fixture: When the CFL played teams from other leagues [Internet] Available from: https://i0.wp.com/ninetynineyards.com/wp-content/upl
Canadian Football League International
AFL in Canada 1926; CFL v AFL 1941-1948; NFL v CFL 1950-1961; NFL Preseason in Canada 1960-1969
Canadian Football League Internationals:
American Football League International 1926
Canadian Football League v American Football League Matches 1941-1948
National Football League v Canadian Football League 1950-1961
National Football League Preseason Matches in Canada 1960-1969
National Football League Preseason American Bowls
NFL International; USFL International; The Spring League v Japan;
National Football League International (Preseason Games):
National Football League Intercontinental 1972-1978
National Football League International Preseason American Bowl in Europe 1986-1997
National Football League International Preseason American Bowl in Canada 1988-Present
National Football League International Preseason American Bowl in Japan 1989-2005
National Football League International Preseason American Bowl in Mexico 1994-2001
National Football League International Preseason American Bowl in Australia 1999
AAA Leagues Internationals
National Football League International Series
NFL in Mexico 2005-Present; NFL in London 2007-Present; NFL in Canada 2008-2013
National Football League International Series (Major League)
National Football League International Regular Season Games in Mexico 2005-Present
National Football League International Regular Season Games in London 2007-Present
National Football League International Regular Season Games in Canada 2008-2013
Minor American Football Leagues International
Intercontinental Football league; Arena Football League; The Spring League; USFL; Legends Football League
AAA American Football Leagues International
United States Football League Postseason Exhibition Game in London 1984
Arena Football League Preseason Games in Europe 1989
Legends Football League Pacific Cup 2012-2013
Arena Football League All Star Game in China & Hawaii 2013
The Spring League v Japan American Football Association 2020
AA Minor American Football Leagues International
Intercontinental Football League European Championship 1976-1978
Proposed American Football League in USSR 1979
Intercontinental Football League European Championship (Seasons):
Picture Credit: [10] Global Football | Michael Preston (2015) When Global Football, the Irish & Midshipmen Rocked Dublin [Internet] Available from: http://www.globalfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/681161-copy.jpg [Accessed 17 January 2020]
USA and Canadian Colleges Internationals
US College Division I Teams Abroad; US College Division III Teams Abroad; Global Football;
NCAA Division I Football Games Abroad:
NFL & NCAA Pre-Season Games in Ireland 1988-1997
NCAA Football | Regular Season Games in Ireland 2012-2016
NCAA Division 1A Freshmen Tours to Europe
NCAA D 1A Freshmen Tour of Britain (Results): 1998
NCAA Division 1AA Football Games Abroad
NCAA Division 1AA Yankee Conference College Football Games in Europe 1988-1989
NCAA D 1AA Tours to Europe (Box-Scores): Villanova Wildcats 28 Rhode Island Rams 25 Milano Kickoff Classic Italy 1989
US College Division III Football Games v World Opposition
Tazon Azteca (Aztec Bowl – Mexican v US American Football) 1947-Present
International American Football | Ireland v NCAA Division III Teams 2004-2005
International American Football | Irish Teams v NCAA Division III Teams 2007-2019
US College Division III Football Games Abroad
Intercontinental Football League College and Air Force Games 1972-1973
International American Football USSR 1989
Global Football NCAA v CONADEIP (Mexico) Tours to Africa (Seasons): 2011
Global Football NCAA D III Tours to Europe (Seasons): 2019
Canadian High School Tours of Europe
Team Canada HS Tour of Britain (Season Results): 1998
Flag Football World
Flag Football was invented in the 1940s as a non-contact version of American Football. The first Pro leagues were set up in the coming decades, with a America-wide League currently in operation with Regional Playoffs followed by a Final with a purse of $1 Million, which includes teams of former NFL players. Below you will find links to Top-Level Leagues Worldwide and International Tournaments.
Picture Credit: [1] NFL Flag Football WaybackMachine (2002) flag [Internet] Available fromhttp://web.archive.org/web/20030726154329im_/https://www.play-football.net/images/logos/flag.gif
[Accessed 2 March 2021]
Picture Credit: [3] European Federation of American Football – Wayback Machine Web Archive (2013) Pesaro 2013 Logo [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/20131005043705im_/http://www.europeiflag2013.it/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/logo2.jpg [Accessed 31 December 2019]
European Flag Football
EFAF European Flag Football Championships
European Flag Football Chamoionships
European Senior Flag Football
European Federation of American Football | European Flag Football Championship 2009-2013
European Junior Flag Football
European Federation of American Football Junior Flag Championship Under 15 Netherlands 2012
European Federation of American Football Junior Flag Championship Under 13 Netherlands 2012
Picture Credit: Champions Bowl 2017 FacebookPage (2016) Facebook Profile Picture December 29 2016 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/ChampionsBowl17/photos/a.734909956608686.1073741825.734909276608754/974882652611414/?type=1&theater [Accessed 3 July 2017]
European International Flag Football
European International Flag Football Friendlies
European International Flag Football (Seasons):
Irish Flag Football Association International Series 2016
Team Ireland Flag Football Friendly 2013
International Flag Football Team Ireland v Allstars 2013
Team Ireland Flag Football Friendlies 1997-2007
Team Canada Flag Football Tour of Ireland and Scotland 2009
International Flag Football Friendly Tournament 2007
Irish International Flag Football Series 2006
European Club Flag Football Tournaments
European Club Flag Football (Seasons):
IFAFE Flag Football Champions Bowl (Seasons): 2018 2017 2016
Flagging New Year (Scotland / NW Europe): 2018
Picture credit: [9] Gwent Gators Facebook Page (2020) Photo 24 February 2020: “This coming weekend the Gwent Gators head over to the Emerald Isle as part of our Pre Season tour,to take part in the Maynooth Charity Blitz Tournament at Maynooth University [Internet] Available from https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/87135154_1020381378361002_2983123746514010112_o.png?_nc_cat=106&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_ohc=C_MEaZuUnHwAX8wNudT&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=84eb43cc00abd261589b122e9ff3aedf&oe=5E97F437 [Accessed 3 March 2020]
Irish International Club Flag Football
Irish International Club Flag Football
Irish International Club Flag Football (Overviews):
Irish-American Flag Football Classic 2010-2014
Anglo-Irish Flag Football Challenge 1997-2005
International Flag Football Irish Teams v US Services 1993-1996
Goal Celebrity Flag American Football Match 1988-1989
International Flag American Football Charity Match 1985
Irish International Club Flag Football (Season Results):
Maynooth University Charity Flag Football Tournament 2020
Flag Football Ireland Europa Cup Tournaments 2017-18
IT Tallaght International Flag Football Exhibitions 2016
Irish Flag Football Association Celtic Bowl 2015
Irish International Club Flag Football (Box-Scores & Match Reports):
Anglo-Irish Flag Football Challenge (Game Summaries):2004 2003 2001 1999 1998 1997
British Flag Football
British Flag Football
England:
English Senior Flag League 9v9 Senior Championship 2003-2005
British Senior Flag League 9v9 Senior Championship 1998-2002
Scotland:
Mexican Flag Football
LEXFA Flag Football
Liga Extrema de Futbol Arena Mexico (LEXFA)
LEXFA Zona Caribe: Summer 2011
Picture Credit: [1] Malaysia American Football Association (2017) Profile Picture, July 3, 2017 [Internet] Available from: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/19620465_851535731662890_6802285027256195278_o.jpg?_nc_cat=100&_nc_sid=09cbfe&_nc_ohc=oLcp_anpTrgAX8DMmSm&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=ca4a19f24aadb8952f9381f9d2e51f31&oe=5F2FBCFF [Accessed 12 July 2020][Adjusted]
Asian Flag Football
Sri Lanka; Malaysia; Philippines
Sri Lanka (EFLI SL)
Elite Football League of India Sri Lanka – University Flag Football League 2015
Philippines (PAFL)
Philippines American Football League 2018-2019
Philippines American Football League (Seasons): 2019
Malaysia (MAFA)
Malaysia American Football Association Flag Football Rose Bowl (Seasons): 2019