IFAF World Team returns to Texas for 2012 International Bowl (formerly Team USA vs. the World game)

Austin, the state capital of Texas has a reputation for being a hotbed for American football talent.  On Wednesday, February 1, 2012, the world’s best players aged 19 and under will again showcase their talents in the Lone Star State in USA Football’s International Bowl – formerly known as the Team USA vs. The World game.

Led by head coach GREG MARSHALL from the University of Western Ontario, the IFAF World Team roster will again feature players selected from many of the 62 countries whose federations are members of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF).  IFAF has invited member federations to nominate eligible coaches and players for consideration and will begin building the 2012 roster this summer.

“IFAF is excited to again return to Austin with our World Team of the best players aged 19 and under from many of our member federations,” said IFAF President TOMMY WIKING.  “The 2011 game showed that football is played by great athletes from every corner of the world and that those players are formidable challengers to America’s best in America’s game.  We look forward to another excellent game and celebration of our sport this February.”

The IFAF World Team narrowly lost 21-14 to Team USA on February 2 at Austin Westlake High School earlier this year, having been defeated 17-0 in the inaugural event in Fort Lauderdale in 2010.

In addition to the IFAF World Team taking on some of the best high school-aged players from the United States on the gridiron, the week of the International Bowl will include a training camp for the World Development Team.  To create a uniformed player pathway and competition for a place on the final IFAF World Team roster, the World Development Team features players with the potential to make an impact at either the upcoming International Bowl or future events.

The 2011 IFAF World Team program included a total of 95 athletes and coaches from 17 countries and five continents, including 35 players from 13 countries on the World Development Team, who practiced with the IFAF World Team.  Three players were promoted to the final roster and many will form the nucleus of the 2012 IFAF World Team roster.

IFAF World Team alumni includes top college football recruits such as defensive end BJOERN WERNER from Germany who started for Florida State as a true freshman in 2010, Australian defensive tackle JESSE WILLIAMS of Alabama, and Boston College defensive end MEHDI ABDESMAD from Canada.

The February 1, 2012, contest coincides with National Signing Day, when Team USA and IFAF World Team players will officially commit to play college football during a morning breakfast event.  A weeklong training camp for both teams will be conducted in Austin prior to the game.

USA Football will determine its player roster by December through 2011 Team USA Trials held in Austin and Marietta, Ga., scouting evaluations and nominations submitted to usafootball.com.  USA Football accepts nominations from players, coaches and parents.  In addition to being among America’s top high school senior football players, Team USA athletes will personify the sport’s inherent values of teamwork and leadership befitting a national team member.

USA Football, the sport’s national governing body in the United States, assembles and manages U.S. national teams for international competition.

“Austin’s football-rich heritage makes it the ideal site to host the world’s best Under-19 football players again in 2012,” said USA Football Chairman CARL PETERSON.  “Texans are as passionate about the game as they are knowledgeable.  Players from across the country and around the globe will enjoy practicing and playing the world’s greatest game in a legendary football environment that few other cities can rival.”

Coaches, players, venues and ticket information will be announced in the coming months.

The NCAA recognizes USA Football’s International Bowl as a national team competition, meaning that the game is not an all-star game.  Playing for the United States in the International Bowl is exempt from high school seniors’ two all-star game appearances.