World Football – Eirball.Football Irish Australian & World Football

World Football in this instance refers to both the Leagues of Southern Continents other than South America (Oceania and Africa) as well as the American Football World Cup and United States of America and Canadian Football Teams on Tours abroad. World Flag Football is also presented on this page. Where possible an Irish Connection has been found.

American Football World Cups

american football playing — Photo by David Morris on Pexels.com

American Football World Cups

American Football World Cup:

1999 2003 2007 2011

Global Junior Championships

Oceania American Football

Since the 1980s American Football Leagues have been organised in Australia & New Zealand, with State Leagues in each of Australia’s six states as well as the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) and Leagues in three of New Zealand’s Provinces.

In addition Australian States play for the Outback Bowl, and the Champions of each State and Territory play in the Southern Cross Tournament for the right to call themselves Australian Club Champions. New Zealand’s Provinces also play for the National Provincial Championship.

Gridiron Australia Logo

Picture Credit: [Australia 1] Gridiron Australia Twitter (2020) Profile Picture, svQ6AuTx_400x400 [Internet] Available from: https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1038406427881041920/svQ6AuTx_400x400.jpg [Accessed 4 July 2020]

Gridiron Australia

Gridiron Australia; ACTGL: Gridiron NSW; Gridiron Queensland; Gridiron South Australia; Gridiron Tasmania; Gridiron Victoria; Gridiron West

Australian State Championships:

Australian Inter-State Millennium Tournament (Seasons): 2000

Australian Capital Territory Gridiron League

Australian Capital Territory Gridiron League 2000-2009

ACTGL Australian Capital Territory Gridiron League 1999-2000

Gridiron New South Wales

Gridiron New South Wales Mens Competition 2018-2019

Gridiron New South Wales Mens Competition (Seasons):

1989

Gridiron New South Wales Mens AA Competition (2nd Division) (Seasons):

1989

Gridiron Queensland

Gridiron Queensland Mens Competition (Seasons):

1988-89 2018-19

Gridiron South Australia

Gridiron South Australia Seniors 1986-1989

Gridiron Tasmania

Tasmanian Gridiron League 1999-2002

Gridiron Victoria

Victorian Gridiron Football League 1988-1989

Victorian Gridiron Football League 1999-2001

Gridiron West (Western Australia)

Gridiron West Open Mens Competition (Western Australia) 2015-2020

Gridiron New Zealand Logo

[New Zealand 1] Gridiron NZ Wayback Machine (2001) head_left [Internet] Available from: https://web.archive.org/web/20010118001900im_/http://gridiron.co.nz/images/head_left.gif [Accessed 4 July 2020]

Gridiron New Zealand

GNZ; American Football Auckland; American Football Canterbury;

Gridiron New Zealand

GNZ National Provincial Championship (Seasons): 2000

American Football Auckland

Auckland Premier Gridiron League (Seasons): 1999-2000

American Football Canterbury

American Football Canterbury (Seasons): 2018

American Football Wellington

American Football Wellington (Seasons): 2019

Africa American Football

The Egyptian American Football league is currently the only fully kitted contact American Football League in Africa, although there are Flag Football Leagues (Tag) in Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Kenya, Nigeria and Ivory Coast. There was also a 9-man Football League in Morocco in 2019. There are Women’s Flag Leagues as well as Men’s.

Egyptian Federation of American Football Logo [References: 6]

Picture Credit: [6] Egyptian Federation of American Football | LinkedIn(2017) EFAF Logo [Internet] Available from: https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4D0BAQHhb8GPhZPm6A/company-logo_200_200/0?e=2159024400&v=beta&t=wvZqwzqs_OyJmTs3OcIDMbsDhW9i_3knkZcSo3gZP44 [Accessed 11 May 2020]

North African American Football

EFAF (Egypt); AMFA (Morocco)

Egypt

EFAF Egyptian Federation of American Football

EFAF Egyptian National Football League (Bowl Games – Contact Football):

Egyptian National Football League Egyptian Bowl 2015-Present

Morocco

AMFA Association Marocaine de Football Américain

AMFA Morrocan Football League (9-Man Contact Football)

AMFA Moroccan Football League 2019

World Professional Football Leagues

The NFL (National Football League) has promoted World Leagues in different continents down through the years. There were no Irish teams in these leagues unless you include the EuroSteelers of the European League (UK Conference) in 1993 (precursor to AFL Europe). the four teams of the UK Conference were intended to represent the four regions of the UK, with the EuroBears, EuroRaiders and EuroMonarchs the other three. The Pittsburgh Steelers were the designated home team for the NFL game in Dublin with the Chicago Bears.

European League of Football Logo [References: 1]

[1] European League of Football Facebook Page (2021) Profile Picture, February 4, 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/europeanleagueoffootball/photos/a.100150555247238/159345569327736/ [Accessed 27 April 2021]

World American Football Leagues have been around since 1991 when the National Football League (NFL) established the World League of American Football in USA, Canada and Europe.

Since then they have reached India and China, as well as the Legends Football Leagues (Women’s) establishing Leagues in Canada, Australia and Mexico

World Football Leagues

World Pro American Football Leagues (Bowl Games):

World Pro American Football Leagues Bowl Games 1991-2019

Major Alternative Football Leagues Standings:

Major Alternative Football Leagues 2021

2020 2019

World Pro American Football Leagues (Overviews):

European Super League 2019

Amsterdam Crusaders Independent Schedule American Football Team 2018

Pretty Girls Football League (Mexico) 2014-2017

China Arena Football League 2016-2019

Legends Football League Global 2012-2014

Elite Football league of India 2012

United Football League 2009-2011

National Football League Europe 1998-2007

World League of American Football 1995-1997

American Football League of Europe 1993-1995

Hamburg Blue Devils Independent Schedule American Football Team 1993

World League of American Football 1991-1992

World Football Leagues (Seasons)

European League of Football 2021

China Arena Football League 2019

Amsterdam Crusaders Independent Schedule 2018

Legends Football League Australia 2013-14

Lingerie Football League Canada 2012-13

American Football League of Europe 1995

European League of American Football 1993

Hamburg Blue Devils Independent Schedule 1993

Leagues which failed to start

International League of American Football 1990

Proposed American Football League in USSR 1979

Intercontinental Football League 1974-1975

Irish-born Professional World Football Players

selective focus close up photo of brown wilson pigskin football on green grass — Photo by Jean-Daniel Francoeur on Pexels.com

Irish-Born World Professional Players, Coaches & Personnel:

Tadhg Leader 2021

Panthers Wrooclaw ELF (2021), Aviators TSL (2021)

Emmett Waldron | Irish-Born Pro & College American Football Player 1993-1999

(Rice Owls (NCAA), Scottish Claymores (WLAF-NFLE))

Linda Holland | Irish-Born Pro Legends-Arena American Football Player 2014

(Western Australia Angels (LFL Australia))

International American Football – Professional and College Teams

International and Inter-League Gridiron Football has been played since at least the 1920s.

The first match that could be described as an International Gridiron or American Football match is the one between two AFL teams in Canada in 1926. Following this the NFL and AFL played a series of matches between the Leagues in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s.

In 1941 the first Canadian Football League v American Football League matches were held, and in 1950 the first match between a National Football League team and a Canadian Football League team.

Beginning in the 1970s, there were attempts at promoting American Football in Europe, through the Intercontinental Football League, and from there the World. In 1976 the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Chargers played in Tokyo. In 1984 two United States Football League teams played in London, and in 1986 the first NFL American Bowl preseason game was held in London.

In 1999 the first World Cup was held, involving USA, Canada, as well as four other Nations which have to qualify through a series of matches.

In 2007 the NFL decided to promote the NFL in London, Mexico City and Toronto with the International Series of Regular Season games, which have run until the present

Major Inter-League American Football

American Football League (1926); NFL v AFLs 1927-1936; NFL v Army 1942

American Football League International

American Football League International 1926

National Football League v American Football Leagues 1927-1942

Whilst not strictly speaking International matches, the National Football League has also played matches against American Football League teams in the 1920s, 1930s, & 1940s.

National Football League v American Football League 1927-1928

California Winter League 1927-1928

Memphis Tigers | AAA Independent American Football 1929-1933

National Football League v Pacific Coast Football League 1936

Pacific Coast Football Leagues (Seasons): 1927 1928

National Football League v Army & College All-Stars 1942

Picture Credit: [International 1] Ninety-Nine Yards, Chris Lawton (2020) An International Fixture: When the CFL played teams from other leagues [Internet] Available from: https://i0.wp.com/ninetynineyards.com/wp-content/upl

Canadian Football League International

AFL in Canada 1926; CFL v AFL 1941-1948; NFL v CFL 1950-1961; NFL Preseason in Canada 1960-1969

Canadian Football League Internationals:

American Football League International 1926

Canadian Football League v American Football League Matches 1941-1948

National Football League v Canadian Football League 1950-1961

National Football League Preseason Matches in Canada 1960-1969

football player holding football — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

National Football League Preseason American Bowls

NFL International; USFL International; The Spring League v Japan;

National Football League International (Preseason Games):

National Football League Intercontinental 1972-1978

National Football League International Preseason American Bowl in Europe 1986-1997

National Football League International Preseason American Bowl in Canada 1988-Present

National Football League International Preseason American Bowl in Japan 1989-2005

National Football League International Preseason American Bowl in Mexico 1994-2001

National Football League International Preseason American Bowl in Australia 1999

AAA Leagues Internationals

The Spring League v Japan National Team 2020

football player game position — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

National Football League International Series

NFL in Mexico 2005-Present; NFL in London 2007-Present; NFL in Canada 2008-2013

National Football League International Series (Major League)

National Football League International Regular Season Games in Mexico 2005-Present

National Football League International Regular Season Games in London 2007-Present

National Football League International Regular Season Games in Canada 2008-2013

football players in the field — Photo by Cos Marc on Pexels.com

Minor American Football Leagues International

Intercontinental Football league; Arena Football League; The Spring League; USFL; Legends Football League

AAA American Football Leagues International

United States Football League Postseason Exhibition Game in London 1984

Arena Football League Preseason Games in Europe 1989

Legends Football League Pacific Cup 2012-2013

Arena Football League All Star Game in China & Hawaii 2013

The Spring League v Japan American Football Association 2020

AA Minor American Football Leagues International

Intercontinental Football League European Championship 1976-1978

Proposed American Football League in USSR 1979

Intercontinental Football League European Championship (Seasons):

1978 1977 1976

31 August 2012; A general view of the game. Global Ireland Football Tournament 2012, Notre Dame Prep, Scottsdale, Arizona v Father Judge, Philadelphia. Pairc Tailteann, Navan, Co. Meath. Picture credit: Pat Murphy / SPORTSFILE *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***

Picture Credit: [10] Global Football | Michael Preston (2015) When Global Football, the Irish & Midshipmen Rocked Dublin [Internet] Available from: http://www.globalfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/681161-copy.jpg [Accessed 17 January 2020]

USA and Canadian Colleges Internationals

US College Division I Teams Abroad; US College Division III Teams Abroad; Global Football;

NCAA Division I Football Games Abroad:

NFL & NCAA Pre-Season Games in Ireland 1988-1997

NCAA Football | Regular Season Games in Ireland 2012-2016

NCAA Division 1A Freshmen Tours to Europe

NCAA D 1A Freshmen Tour of Britain (Results): 1998

NCAA Division 1AA Football Games Abroad

NCAA Division 1AA Yankee Conference College Football Games in Europe 1988-1989

NCAA D 1AA Tours to Europe (Box-Scores): Villanova Wildcats 28 Rhode Island Rams 25 Milano Kickoff Classic Italy 1989

US College Division III Football Games v World Opposition

Tazon Azteca (Aztec Bowl – Mexican v US American Football) 1947-Present

International American Football | Ireland v NCAA Division III Teams 2004-2005

International American Football | Irish Teams v NCAA Division III Teams 2007-2019

US College Division III Football Games Abroad

Intercontinental Football League College and Air Force Games 1972-1973

International American Football USSR 1989

Global Football NCAA v CONADEIP (Mexico) Tours to Africa (Seasons): 2011

Global Football NCAA D III Tours to Europe (Seasons): 2019

Canadian High School Tours of Europe

Team Canada HS Tour of Britain (Season Results): 1998

Flag Football World

Flag Football was invented in the 1940s as a non-contact version of American Football. The first Pro leagues were set up in the coming decades, with a America-wide League currently in operation with Regional Playoffs followed by a Final with a purse of $1 Million, which includes teams of former NFL players. Below you will find links to Top-Level Leagues Worldwide and International Tournaments.

NFL Flag Football Logo

Picture Credit: [1] NFL Flag Football WaybackMachine (2002) flag [Internet] Available fromhttp://web.archive.org/web/20030726154329im _/https://www.play-football.net/images/logos/flag.gif

[Accessed 2 March 2021]

NFL and World Flag Football

NFL Schools Flag Championships; Big Bowl (Germany)

NFL Schools Flag Football Championships

NFL European Schools Flag Football Championships (seasons):

2002

World Flag Football Tournaments

World Flag Football (Seasons):

Big Bowl (Europe / World): 2017

EFAF European Flag Football Championships Pesaro 2013 Logo

Picture Credit: [3] European Federation of American Football – Wayback Machine Web Archive (2013) Pesaro 2013 Logo [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/20131005043705im_/http://www.europeiflag2013.it/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/logo2.jpg [Accessed 31 December 2019]