Australian Football International is pleased to confirm that the AFI World 9s will return to Melbourne in February 2027!
History
The inaugural World 9s were held in Melbourne on Saturday 16 February, 2019. The venue was Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park. It was a historic day for our great game, as we launched our strategy to have Footy 9s included in the Olympic Games.
The World 9s is now an annual event in Melbourne, with the competition expanding to multiple playing fields and Divisions.
Champions
2026 – United Nations (Div 1 Men), South Africa (Div 2 Men), Australia (Women), Ireland (Div 1 Touch), Netherlands (Div 2 Touch)
2025 – United Nations (Division 1), Nauru (Division 2), Australia (Women)
2024 – South Sudan (Division 1), Nauru (Division 2), Australia (Women)
2023 – South Sudan (Division 1), United Nations (Division 2), Samoa (Women)
2022 – Samoa (Division 1), Chile (Division 2), Nauru (Women)
2021 – South Sudan (Division 1), Chile (Division 2), Ireland (Women)
2019 – Italy (Division 1), Switzerland (Division 2)
2027 Event Format
- 24 national teams (representing Melbourne’s multicultural communities)
- 4 x Playing Fields
- 9-a-side (maximum of 15 players per squad)
- 5 great Divisions – Division 1 Men, Division 2 Men, Women’s, Div 1 Touch & Div 2 Touch!
- Matches will commence every 40 minutes to facilitate a carnival type atmosphere
- Each match consists of 2 x 15 minute halves, plus 3 minutes for half-time
- Each team will play a minimum of 3 matches during the event
- Each team will play in their national colours
- 5 Grand Finals – Division 1 Men, Division 2 Men, Women’s, Div 1 Touch & Div 2 Touch
2026 Teams
The following teams competed in the 2026 World 9s:
Men’s Division 1 – Ireland, Nauru, South Sudan, United Nations
Men’s Division 2 – Nauru, New Zealand, South Africa, Syria
Women’s Division – Australia, Fiji, Ireland, Nauru
Touch Footy Division 1 – Colombia, Ireland, Wales, United Nations
Touch Footy Division 2 – Canada, Cornwall, Malawi, Mexico, Netherlands, Philippines
