Nigeria withdraws from world flag football event after failing to get travel visas.
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Canada’s national men’s team won its first game of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) world flag football championship Monday without having to step on the field.
Nigeria was forced to withdraw its men’s and women’s teams from the tournament, which begins Thursday in Duesseldorf, Germany, after being unable to get the necessary travel visas. IFAF, the National Sports Commission of Nigeria and Nigerian Federation of American Football made the announcement in a joint statement.
Nigeria was to play in the same men’s group as Canada, Austria and Japan. As there wasn’t enough time to choose an alternate squad, the remaining three group members were awarded wins.
Canada will now play Austria on Thursday and then Japan on Friday in preliminary round play. The Nigerian women’s withdrawal has no impact on the Canadian squad as they’re in different groups.
The top two finishers in the tournament will secure Olympic berths. If the United States reaches the gold-medal game, then the top three teams will advance, as the Americans already have a spot in Los Angeles as host.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 10, 2026.