History being made at IFAF World Championships

American Football may not be a fitting name for the sport anymore as today the game loved by millions is being played competitively in more than 60 countries around the world.

Not only is the sport’s popularity increasing, but so is the global talent.

Such talent will be displayed on a world-wide platform as the fifth installment of the IFAF World Championship kicks off in Stockholm, Sweden from July 4-18, 2015 as record number 12 countries will compete for gold!

With national football federations in existence for more than 70 years, the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) was created in 1998 to organize and further develop the game through international cooperation and global competition. Today, IFAF boosts 66 country federations from six continents.

With the goal of developing a global competition, IFAF organized the first-ever World Championship of American Football in 1999. Today the event has developed into the organization’s showpiece competition showcasing the talent of players across the globe every four years.

Since the inaugural event in 1999 twelve countries have participated in the tournament including Australia, Austria, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Sweden and the United States.

The first world championship took place in Palermo, Italy as six teams from four continents squared off to claim the first ever title. In the end, Japan defeated Mexico in a thrilling 6-0 overtime victory to earn the distinction of first World Champions. The tournament featured more than 330 players and coaches.

Japan and Mexico would have a Gold-Medal game rematch at the 2003 IFAF World Championship in Frankfurt, Germany. This time around spectators saw more offensive fireworks, as Japan successfully defended its title beating Mexico 34-14 as running back Ikunori Hanna finished the game with 125 yards including a touchdown. The Japanese defensive played a significant role as they forced Mexico into five turnovers – three interceptions and two fumbles. Germany defeated France 36-7 to claim the Bronze Medal.

The third IFAF World Championship was held in Kawasaki, Japan in 2007 as the Japanese looked to earn a Three-Peat. But that year, the competition would see some newcomers as Korea, Sweden and United States joined returners France, Germany and Japan in the tournament.

Both Japan and the United States went 2-0 with dominating victories in the group stage, setting up a Gold-Medal game that was sure to be exciting and it did not disappoint. Team USA outlasted Japan 23-20 in double overtime. Running back Kyle Kasperbauer finished the game with 65 yards and two touchdowns while Japan’s quarterback Yuichi Tomizawa also had an impressive outing throwing for 140 yards and two touchdowns.

During the nine games of the 2007 IFAF World Championship, more than 22,000 fans flocked to the host stadiums and almost one million people visited the official websites.

The 2011 IFAF World Championship expanded again, as the eight countries looked to earn the title of World Champs in the fourth installment held in Austria. The tournament featured another newcomer as Canada joined the festivities looking to knock off the reigning champs the United States. Australia, Austria, France, Germany, Japan and Mexico also competed in the tournament.

Canada and the United States both finished the group stage 3-0, the two teams squared off in front of a record crowd of 20,000 for the much anticipated Gold-Medal game. But the United States led by talented quarterback Cody Hawkins took control early going into half with a 30-7 lead and would cruise to a 50-7 victory to claim back-to-back gold medals. USA had a balanced attach as Hawkins finished the game throwing for 161 yard and two touchdowns while Henry Harris ran for 105 yards including a five-yard touchdown.

Mexico and Japan met once again, but this time in the Bronze Medal game. Japan continued their streak against the Mexicans winning to 17-14.

As the competition only gets better and bigger from year to year, the 2015 IFAF World Championship is sure to be a spectacular event. Not only will it have a historic twelve teams competing, but the top players and spectators from around the world will have the opportunity to play and observe the historic games in the new Tele2 Stadium in Stockholm, Sweden from July 4-18, 2015.

Will the Americans become the first team to win three consecutive IFAF World Championships or will a team knock off the United States? Only time will tell.