Team Israel wrapped up an impressive campaign at the IFAF Euro Flag 2025 Championships in Paris, as the men’s squad finished fifth overall to clinch qualification for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Düsseldorf, while the women’s team placed 12th following a spirited competition.
The four-day tournament at the Val-de-Marne Interdepartmental Sports Park in Choisy-le-Roi brought together 24 men’s teams and 19 women’s teams from across Europe, making it one of the most competitive flag football events ever staged on the continent.
Israel’s men capped their campaign with a 35-26 win over Switzerland in the fifth-place playoff, cementing their position among Europe’s top programs. With the result, Israel locked up one of six European qualification spots for next year’s World Championships in Germany, joining Italy, Austria, France, Britain, and Switzerland.
“The team showed incredible resilience,” said Steve Leibowitz, president of American Football in Israel. “Our qualification to Düsseldorf proves that we’re building something lasting, and we are ready to represent Israel at the highest level of the sport.”
The men’s competition concluded with Italy defeating Austria 27-19 to take gold, while France beat Great Britain 34-20 for the bronze.
On the women’s side, Israel battled through a deep and competitive field before finishing 12th after a placement-round loss to Turkey, 46-14.
Though the squad did not secure World Championship qualification this time, the players showed flashes of promise and continued to build a foundation for the future as women’s flag football rapidly expands across Europe. Great Britain successfully defended its 2023 women’s title with a dramatic 34-33 overtime victory over Austria in the final, while Spain edged France 41-40 in a thrilling bronze-medal clash.
For Israel, the final standings reflected both progress and potential: the men in fifth place and headed to the Worlds, and the women 12th as they continue to develop.
Groundwork for future success
The performances in Paris highlighted Israel’s growing presence on the international flag football stage, with the men preparing for Düsseldorf 2026 and the women laying the groundwork for future tournaments.
Team Israel’s trajectory comes at a pivotal time for the sport, with flag football set to make its historic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Representing the country in international competitions under the IFAF framework, both the men’s and women’s programs combine veteran leadership with emerging talent, aiming not only to compete at the highest level globally but also to drive the growth of the game in Israel itself.