Goodell isn’t just hoping for a foreign NFL team anymore, he practically guaranteed it. In an interview with German outlet RTL/ntv, conducted by former NFL player Markus Kuhn, the commissioner laid it all out. Get ready, football fans, because the league is about to get a whole lot bigger than just the USA.
Goodell’s “No Doubt” Vision For A Global League
Goodell didn’t mince words. He said, and I quote, “At some point, there will be NFL teams outside the USA.” He didn’t stop there, adding, “I have no doubt that this will happen one day.” Think about that for a second. This isn’t just a casual wish; this is the commissioner flat-out telling us it’s happening. And he’s not talking about just one team, either. He practically guaranteed *multiple* international teams down the line. We’re talking about a massive shift for the entire league structure.
He even floated the idea of an international city hosting the Super Bowl. Imagine the energy! But there’s a catch, of course. Goodell made it clear that any city wanting to host the biggest game in American sports needs to have an NFL team already. “There are definitely international cities that could host something like that,” he stated, “But we would like to see an NFL team in such a city first.” Smart move, gotta build that fan base up close and personal before dropping the biggest event. This isn’t the first time Goodell has said this, either. He’s been pushing for an international team for a solid 20 seasons as commissioner. Back in 2022, he even talked about a whole division in Europe, saying it would be “easier” to make happen. Two years later, in 2024, he brought it up again on the “Pat McAfee Show,” though he did say that was “more than 10 years down the road.” But hey, “more than 10 years” still means it’s coming!
The Path Is Already Paved For A Worldwide NFL
If you’re thinking this sounds like some far-off dream, think again. The NFL has been steadily laying the groundwork for this international takeover. Goodell started the NFL International Series all the way back in 2007. Fast forward to 2026, and we’re looking at a record nine international games! That’s huge. And remember the Global Markets Program that kicked off in 2022? That’s what lets teams grab marketing rights in other countries, and it’s totally paying off.
We saw the first game in South America go down in 2024, and the first Oceania NFL game is set for 2026. Other countries have been getting their first taste of NFL action in recent years too. So, where are these future teams going to land? London is obviously a front-runner, having hosted at least one game every season since 2007, and multiple games yearly since 2013 (except for the weird 2020 season). Mexico City is getting its fifth regular-season game in 2026. German cities like Munich, Berlin, and Frankfurt are piling up the games, set to hit a combined nine by the end of the 2029 season. Paris is getting its first-ever NFL game in 2026, and Madrid will host its second this upcoming season. These aren’t just one-off games anymore; these cities are becoming regular stops on the NFL calendar, building up that local passion for the game.
This isn’t just about a few more games overseas. Goodell’s words make it crystal clear: the NFL is evolving into a truly global sport with teams stretching far beyond U.S. borders. It’s a massive shift that will change how we see the league, the players, and the rivalries. Get ready, because the future of football is going to be truly worldwide. What a time to be a fan!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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