American football is a global game. An estimated 13 million to 15 million people participate outside the United States. The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) reports more than 20 million active participants worldwide across its 75 member nations. With the majority of the world's American football players now residing outside the United States, the International Player Pathway (IPP) Program provides NFL clubs with a direct avenue to identify and develop elite talent from around the world.

International-born players have been part of the NFL since its inaugural season in 1920. The American Professional Football Association, renamed the National Football League in 1922, included German-born brothers John and Phil Nesser and Irish-born Bob Nash, who scored the NFL's first fumble-recovery touchdown, became the league's first traded player, and later served as the first captain of the New York Giants.

Nine players who were born outside of the United States have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame:

INTERNATIONAL-BORN PLAYERS ON NFL ROSTERS

A total of 126 international-born players were on NFL rosters during the 2025 season (regular season and playoffs), including 61 players on 53-man active rosters. The players represented 38 countries and territories across five regions:

• AFRICA
  - Cameroon
  - Côte d'Ivoire
  - Egypt
  - Ghana
  - Guinea
  - Liberia
  - Nigeria
  - South Africa
  - Zimbabwe

• **ASIA-PACIFIC
  **- American Samoa
  - Australia
  - China
  - Hong Kong
  - Japan
  - New Zealand
  - South Korea
  - Taiwan
  - Tonga
  - United States Minor Outlying Islands

• **EUROPE
  **- Austria
  - Belgium
  - Denmark
  - Germany
  - Greece
  - Ireland
  - Italy
  - The Netherlands
  - United Kingdom

• **NORTH AMERICA & CARIBBEAN
  **- Bahamas
  - Belize
  - Canada
  - Dominican Republic
  - Haiti
  - Jamaica
  - Mexico
  - Panama
  - Puerto Rico
  - Saint Lucia

• **SOUTH AMERICA
  **- Brazil

INTERNATIONAL PLAYER PATHWAY PROGRAM

During the 2004 through 2008 NFL seasons, the League operated an international player development program that included special roster exemptions for international athletes. NFL divisions were selected on a rotating basis to participate in the initiative, giving designated clubs the ability to develop international talent through practice squad opportunities.

During the program's five-year run, 30 unique international players signed NFL practice squad contracts, helping establish an early pathway for global athletes seeking to reach the NFL.

In 2017, the NFL launched the International Player Pathway (IPP) Program, building on those earlier efforts to identify and develop elite talent from around the world.

Since its inception, the IPP Program has provided international athletes with a platform to develop their skills, compete at the highest level, and potentially earn a place on an NFL roster.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has consistently highlighted the program's importance in expanding opportunities for international athletes and advancing the league's global growth strategy.

On opening pathways for global athletes, Goodell said, "The International Player Pathway program is an important part of our continued focus on growing the game globally and creating pathways for international athletes to play in the NFL."

Following the NFL's 2024 rule change, which provided all 32 clubs with a dedicated international player practice squad exemption, Goodell emphasized the value of expanding roster opportunities.  "We see great potential in expanding the league's global reach and identifying elite talent from around the world. Increasing opportunities through the IPP program allows us to integrate international athletes into roster building in a meaningful way," he said.

Goodell has also linked the program to the NFL's broader international ambitions.  "It's the ambition we have to be a global sport, but it's also the demand we're having," he said.  "Once we get more international games and more internationals playing, that's the right way to go for the NFL in terms of growing the game."

For purposes of the International Player Pathway (IPP) Program, an International Player (IP) is defined as an athlete whose citizenship and primary residence are outside the United States and Canada and who has no more than two years of U.S. high school experience. International Players must also satisfy all NFL eligibility requirements and have been eligible for a previous NFL Draft. IPs may play any position, including kicker and punter.

Players may participate in the IPP Program for up to three seasons. A season is credited when a player spends at least six games on a club's practice squad or Active/Inactive List, with bye weeks counting toward that total.

After a player's third IPP season, he remains eligible to sign with an NFL club under the league's standard roster and practice squad rules.

During the 2026 season, each club may have a combined maximum of 17 Practice Squad players as long as one player qualifies as an International Player.  The International Practice Squad designation gives clubs an additional developmental roster spot while maintaining full flexibility under standard NFL roster procedures.

International Practice Players may be elevated to the active roster, signed to a club's 53-man roster, released, or placed on Practice Squad/Injured using the same mechanisms available for other practice squad players. Clubs may also sign another team's International Practice Squad player to their active roster in accordance with standard NFL roster rules.

The offseason international exemption expires at final roster reductions to 53 players. If an International Player is waived and clears waivers, the player becomes a free agent and may sign with any NFL club under standard contract and practice squad procedures.

In practical terms, the International Practice Squad designation provides clubs with an additional developmental roster spot and the flexibility to elevate or sign the player to the active roster when warranted, creating another pathway for international athletes to earn opportunities in the NFL.

Since its launch in 2017, the International Player Pathway (IPP) Program has provided training opportunities to more than 94 athletes from 21 countries. Through September 2026, the program has produced 58 NFL Player Contract signings, demonstrating its growing role in identifying, developing, and connecting elite international talent with NFL clubs.

Entering Week 1 of the 2026 season, NFL rosters feature 20 International Player Pathway (IPP) players from 11 countries and territories spanning five continents. Among them, four players have earned spots on 53-man active rosters: Philadelphia Eagles’ starting LT Jordan Mailata (Australia; IPP class of 2018 – 7^th Rd pick), Miami Dolphins’ 2026 5^th Rd pick TE Seydou Traore (United Kingdom; the first NFL Academy prospect selected in the NFL Draft), Miami Dolphins’ T Chukwuebuka Godrick (Nigeria; IPP Class of 2023), and New York Giants’ DT C.J. Okoye (Nigeria; IPP Class of 2023).

NFL AFRICA

The NFL's expanded presence in Africa reflects the league's commitment to growing the game at all levels across the continent. This expansion builds on a series of successful initiatives, including youth camps, NFL FLAG clinics, and fan engagement events in Ghana (2022), Kenya (2023), Nigeria (2024), and Egypt (2025).

The league further expanded its reach with an NFL Africa Tentpole Event, held in Nairobi, Kenya, from July 8-12, 2026. The event featured officiating development, talent identification and scouting activities, as well as flag football competition supported by the International Federation of American Football (IFAF).

From July 9-11, teams from Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa competed in U13 co-ed and adult men's and women's flag football tournaments.

“It has always been a dream of mine to bring the NFL to Africa, and over the past couple of years, The Uprise and NFL have made that dream a reality,” said Osi Umenyiora, NFL Legend and lead ambassador for NFL Africa. “It’s been incredible to see the opportunities it has provided through the International Player Pathway Program, the NFL Academy and NFL FLAG, and this is only the beginning.”

NFL ACADEMY

The NFL Academy is an elite football development program designed to identify and develop the next generation of American football talent from the across the globe. The Academy provides athletes ages 16–18 with a high-performance environment that combines elite football coaching, strength and conditioning, education and personal development.

Based in the UK, the NFL Academy is a key component of the NFL’s international football development strategy. Led by Head Coach Steve Hagen and Head of Academy Kris Durham, the program currently supports 71 athletes representing 20 countries and territories, providing a pathway for young international athletes to pursue opportunities in collegiate and professional football.

Over the past three years, more than 50 NFL Academy athletes have earned college football scholarships, with 33 competing at the NCAA Division I level in 2026. In 2026, Seydou Traore became the first NFL Academy graduate selected in the NFL Draft when he was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round.

The Academy’s coaching staff brings extensive NFL and collegiate experience to the development of its athletes. Current staff includes former NFL players and coaches, including Defensive Coordinator Chase Baker, a former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle, and Running Backs Coach Skyler Fulton, a former NFL wide receiver and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver coach.

The Academy also serves as a development platform for coaches and football personnel. Former Academy Defensive Backs Coach Maceo Beard, who previously participated in the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program, recently signed with the Minnesota Vikings Practice Squad. Former Academy coach Eli Turner is now at Rice University, while former Academy coach Randy Starks, a two-time Pro Bowler, is now coaching at the University of Maryland. Former coach Cam Winston has joined the Chicago Bears through the Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Internship. These transitions demonstrate the Academy’s role in developing football talent and creating pathways for coaches to advance their careers across the professional and collegiate game.