1999 IFAF World Championship
Tourney name1999 IFAF World Championship
Year1999
Datefrom24 June
Dateto4 July
HostItaly
Nations6
ChampionJapan
Champion-flagvar1947
RunnerupMexico
ThirdSweden
Games8
Succeeded by2003

The 1999 IFAF World Championship was the inaugural IFAF World Championship, an international American football championship run by the International Federation of American Football (IFAF). It was played in Palermo, Italy from 24 June to 4 July 1999.[1] The tournament was contested by six nations and was won by Japan.[1]

Group stage

Group A

TeamPldWLPFPA
2201430
2112861
2027117

Group B

TeamPldWLPFPA
2207814
2113630
202676

Final

Both teams entered the gold medal game undefeated in group play. The Mexico defense had not allowed any points, shutting out their two previous opponents, and the Mexican offense was impressive in beating Finland 89-0 (the most points ever in an IFAF Tournament game) and Italy 54-0. The Championship Game was a defensive struggle, with both teams committing turnovers (5 by Mexico, 2 by Japan), and for the first time in the tournament, Mexico did not score a point in any quarter. Japan held a slight advantage in total yards gained (233 to Mexico's 198). In overtime, Japan scored first on 5 yard pass from Sunaga to Abe. The extra point kick was wide, and Japan led 6-0. As they had all game, the Japanese defense kept Mexico out of the endzone, sealing the victory for Japan.

Winner

1999 IFAF World Cup winners

JAPAN
First title

Statistics

PosTeamGamesWinLosePoints forPoints againstDifference
13308414+70
23211436+137
33217443+31
43124199-58
53121683-67
630314127-113

References

  1. ^ Kelly, Roger (24 November 2018). "First ever IFAF World Cup of American Football featured in NFL Films". American Football International. Retrieved 18 June 2023.