NFL and Spanish Federation forge alliance to grow football in Spain

In a significant move for international football development, the National Football League and Spain’s Federation of American Football (FEFA) met in Barcelona recently to lay the groundwork for a formal partnership aimed at growing the sport across the nation.

Building a foundation together
The meeting between FEFA president José Luis Soler and the NFL’s general director in Spain, Rafael de los Santos, focused on creating a sustainable, long-term strategy to strengthen the structure and competitiveness of American football within the country. Both parties emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to expand the game’s reach and quality.

Flag football takes center stage
A major topic was the aggressive promotion of flag football, especially among youth. With flag set to debut as an Olympic sport at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, initiatives like NFL Flag will be central to attracting new players and building a strong talent pipeline from an early age. This aligns with a shared vision to elevate the overall level of play and visibility of American football in Spain.

Elevating coaching and officiating
The collaboration also aims to improve the quality of coaching, officiating, and player development through targeted training programs. Standardizing coaching criteria and enhancing technical skills across both flag and tackle football will be essential to raising the sport’s credibility and organizational strength at every level.

This first meeting marks the start of a formal relationship between the NFL and FEFA, setting the stage for future initiatives designed to create lasting value and drive the comprehensive growth of American football throughout Spain.