US Football: the NFL makes its debut at the Stade de France
It's a landmark moment in the world of "other" football! For the first time in its history, the NFL is setting up shop in Paris. The renowned American football league is relocating a regular-season game to the usual playground of Zidane or Mbappé this Sunday. As this event approaches, Mondial Sports is adjusting to American time.
On paper, it's a home game for the Saints. In reality, for their "hosting" of the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday, the New Orleans players will unveil an unprecedented scene. A football stadium, true, but the football played with 11 players, with feet and a round ball. Since its opening in 1998, the Stade de France has hosted nearly everything, from the World Cup final to the Olympic 100-meter final, not to mention Beyoncé, Johnny, and Fally Ipupa. All that was missing was an NFL game to complete the picture.
The NFL Tries Its Hand Internationally
This isn't the Super Bowl, just a regular-season game, but this event allows France to enter a select circle of countries capable of hosting American football. Like the NBA, the major basketball league, the NFL is looking to attract a global audience. In 2026 alone, seven nations will host relocated games outside the United States.
A Franco-Ivorian Promise in MS
Described as a "conquest," is American football capable of gaining some yards far from its birthplace? Can its rules, format, and culture, sometimes complex for newcomers to understand, attract new enthusiasts? This question was raised with our experts this Saturday, French figures in American football. You will also hear an interview with Ilias Tadjer, a young Franco-Ivorian who aspires to America. He is currently a member of an NFL training center in England.
Touchdown on Mondial Sports starting at 16:10 UTC, featuring:
- Marc-Angelo Soumah, former French NFL player, founder of the Paris Musketeers and Paris Lights
- Mamadou Sy, former player of the Paris Musketeers
- Terrence Fall, former player in the American college championship
- Baptiste Leduc, journalist at RFI.
Touchdown on Mondial Sports starting at 16:10 UTC!
The audio will be accessible on the page starting Saturday at 19:05.
More from this section
The start of the NBA season and the return of Formula 1 to the African continent.
Stéphane Houdet, an icon of wheelchair tennis, will be the guest on Mondial Sports!
The discussion of Mondial Sports
Basketball: Wembanyama, already three seasons in the NBA
MMA: Salahdine Parnasse, the "Mbappé of MMA," special guest
