IFAF Flag 2026 Rivalries: Brazil and Panama

There are rivalries aplenty in the Americas in the women’s world of international flag football.

The United States and Mexico have contested the past two IFAF World Championships and The World Games. At least one of the dominant forces of USA, Mexico, Canada and Panama have been involved all but two of 11 world title gold medal game since the inaugural competition in 2002. The United States and Mexico each boast six podium finishes, Canada four and Panama two, while each of that quartet has won an IFAF Flag Football World Championship.

So where does that leave Brazil?

The challenge facing the fifth IFAF World Flag 2026 qualifier from the Americas is to break into that continental women’s top four. While never a medal winner, Brazil played for bronze in Israel in 2021, losing 26-13 to Austria. That finish earned a place at The World Games four years ago. Eventual winners Mexico, Japan and Italy proved too strong in the group stages and a quarterfinals exit came at the hands of USA.

Continue reading.