The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) has announced that Germany has been awarded hosting rights for the 2023 IFAF World Championship for men’s tackle.
The World Championship is scheduled to feature the top eight nations in the world. Germany will qualify as the host nation with an invitation extended to the reigning champions the United States. Australia will qualify as representatives of Oceania along with the top two nations in Europe. The remaining berths will be filled from qualification rounds in the Americas, Asia, and Africa.
IFAF outgoing president Richard MacLean welcomed the announcement:
“The 2023 IFAF World Championship will mark two decades since Germany last hosted this global showpiece event. IFAF’s 71 member-nations look forward to Germany staging a world-class tournament that will truly showcase our elite athletes from across the globe.”
Robert Huber, president of the American Football Federation of Germany, AFVD, headed up Germany’s bid for the championship:
“I thank Richard MacLean, the IFAF Executive Board, and Managing Director Andy Fuller in reviewing our bid and entrusting AFVD to deliver. We promise to create an outstanding championship for the sport of football.”
The first IFAF World Championships were held in Italy in 1999 with Japan coming out on top. In 2003, Germany was the host country and again Japan triumphed as Germany secured bronze. For the 2007 championships in Japan, the United States participated for the first time. Germany retained bronze and the United States defeated Japan in a double-overtime thriller, 23-20 to win gold.
The United States repeated the feat in Austria in 2011, overwhelming Canada in the final by a score of 50-7. In 2015 the World Championship was staged at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio where the Team USA retained its crown with a 59-12 gold medal game victory over Japan.