Two former Iowa State football stars, Ernst Brun Jr. and Cliff Stokes, were selected on Wednesday to participate for USA Football in the 2015 IFAF World Championship.

The tournament will pit eight nations against each other in two group formats and will take place from July 9th to the 18th, 2015. Group one contains the US team, Canada, Mexico and Japan. Group 2 features teams from France, Austria, South Korea, and Brazil.

2 Former Cyclones To Play for USA Football Team

The games will be played at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, OH and the team will be coached by former Boise State and Colorado head coach, Dan Hawkins.

“It is an honor, I am excited,” Brun said of being invited to play. “[It is] just another opportunity to put on the pads.

Brun also played for the Fall Experimental Football League (FXFL) for the Omaha Mammoths.

“It is truly a blessing,” Stokes said. “I am so honored to be selected not only for my hard work but to also represent my country.”

Stokes plays for the Sioux City Bandits of the Champions Indoor Football League.

USA Football enters the event as a heavy favorite, but with American Football growing in popularity all over the globe, other teams should not be overlooked. In particular, the game between Canada and USA should be one worth watching. That said a tournament like this one can only help the growing popularity of the sport.

All games will be broadcast on ESPN3.

Main Photo:

AMES, IA- NOVEMBER 3: Running back Brennan Clay #24 of the Oklahoma Sooners is brought down during the second quarter by defensive back Cliff Stokes #7 the Iowa State Cyclones on November 3, 2012 at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa. Oklahoma lead Iowa State 14-6 at the half. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)