NFL to officially allow players to participate in 2028 Summer Olympics flag football

“It’s an incredible honor for any athlete to represent their country in the Olympics, which is the pinnacle of global sport,” said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in a statement. “I know first-hand that the inclusion of flag football in the Olympics has sparked a tremendous amount of excitement among NFL players interested in the chance to compete for their country on the world stage. We are thrilled that they will now have that chance.”

Canada’s men’s national flag football team recently introduced Paul LaPolice as its head coach. The team will compete at the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championship, which could lead to qualification for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Some Canadian NFL players who could be options for Team Canada include John Metchie III, Chuba Hubbard, Chase Brown, Taylor Rapp, Josh Palmer, Jevon Holland, Sydney Brown, Jared Wayne, Deane Leonard, Benjamin St-Juste, Kurtis Rourke, and Taylor Elgersma.

“I warmly welcome the outcome of this vote, which promises to add another dimension to what is already shaping up to be a game-changing debut for flag football at the Olympic Games,” said International Federation of American Football president Pierre Trochet.

“The National Football League is home to the biggest stars in American football, who come from more and more countries, and now have the opportunity to shine on the greatest stage in world sport, showcasing everything that makes flag football a genuine worldwide phenomenon. IFAF’s 75 national federations join me in thanking our NFL partners for this further demonstration of their commitment to flag football in the Olympic movement. We will work together to ensure our sport contributes a defining element of LA28’s success.”

Flag football at the Summer Olympics will consist of six men’s teams and six women’s teams, all of which will feature 10 players playing five-on-five.