Tua Tagovailoa Floats Jerusalem as Potential NFL Destination

After leading the Miami Dolphins to a win over the Washington Commanders in the NFL’s first regular-season game in Madrid, Tua Tagovailoa hinted at a bold next step for the league. “It would be pretty cool to go play in Jerusalem, I don’t know. That would be sick,” he said, sparking conversation about the possibility of an NFL game in the Holy Land.

The NFL has made a steady push beyond U.S. borders. Cities like London, Berlin, Dublin, São Paulo, and now Madrid have hosted games, bringing America’s football spectacle to new audiences. A game in Jerusalem, however, would mark a historic first in the Middle East.

Commissioner Roger Goodell has made no secret of the league’s global ambitions. “I think our next step after Australia would be probably moving into Asia,” he said in September, emphasizing that the NFL wants “everyone playing one game a year internationally.” While Israel isn’t in Asia, the suggestion of Jerusalem underscores the league’s willingness to explore unconventional venues.

The idea carries symbolic weight. Israel is one of the United States’ strongest allies, and tourism in Jerusalem is rebounding strongly after years of disruption. Visitors are returning to the city’s historic sites, signaling both economic revival and renewed international interest.

Of course, logistical and political challenges would be significant. But for players like Tagovailoa, an outspoken Christian, the chance to play in a city steeped in history is thrilling. For fans, it’s a glimpse of the NFL’s evolving identity: a sport that is not just American, but increasingly global.

Whether a game ever lands in Jerusalem remains uncertain. Still, with the league expanding its international schedule and stars openly dreaming big, the possibility doesn’t feel so far-fetched. As Goodell puts it, the NFL is “serious about being a global sport,” and fans around the world are taking note.

-Dwight Widaman