IFAF World Flag 2026: Mexico, USA, Great Britain and Canada unbeaten as knockout round begins
The women’s field at the IFAF World Flag 2026 Championships is set for the knockout round after Mexico, the United States, Great Britain and Canada completed perfect runs through Group Play, while several other contenders used Day 2 to secure their places in the next stage of the tournament.
Four teams finish Group Play unbeaten
Mexico, USA, Great Britain, and Canada each won their single contest on Day 2. The United States defeated Spain 52-31, Great Britain nearly doubled the score on Austria 47-26, and Canada handled Japan 34-20. Number one seed Mexico, however, had to scramble to remain perfect in Group Play.
Italy pushes Mexico to the limit
Mexico had averaged nearly 46 points, and gave up 19 ppg., in its two wins on Day One, So Day Two’s defensive struggle against Italy came as a surprise. Mexican quarterback Diana Flores found wide receiver Monica Rangel for 2 scores, and Mexico converted both one-point extra point tries, one of which also went to Rangel. That was all the vaunted Team Mexico offense could produce though against a stingy Italian defense. On the offensive side, receivers Aleksandra Radisavljević, and Margherita Germinetti hauled in touchdown passes from Andrea Ferro Avolese, but Team Italy failed to convert either extra point attempts.
USA offense keeps rolling
The United States gave up 31 points to seventh ranked Team Spain, but scored enough to enjoy a 21-point margin at the end of the game. The combination of quarterback Akemi Higa to receiver Maci Joncich accounted for four touchdowns, and receiver Ashlea Klam caught two more to lead Team USA.
Great Britain and Canada stay perfect
Great Britain’s victory also never seemed in doubt as receiver Emily Kemp continued the play that earned her the European Continental Championship Most Valuable Player in 2025. For the Group Stage, she had a total of 9 touchdown catches, of the 27 passes she caught. She also threw for one score.
Canada defeated fifth ranked Japan by two touchdowns to walk away with the victory.
Japan responds against France
Japan came back to beat the French 40-21, aided by two interceptions by Team Japan’s defense, when it appeared the French were on the verge of scoring. Defensive back Yuki Sato, who had one of the take aways, said that communication amongst the defenders was the key to their performance.
Germany survives another Slovenia thriller
In other action, Panama doubled the score on Brazil, and won 12-6. Germany kept the Slovenian record of losing heart breakers going by defeating them 34-33. The Slovenians then had to play another game, and in the first half against Australia, they seemed demoralized. But after trailing 33-7, they came back to outscore the Australia 19-6 in the second half. That still left them on the negative side of a 39-26 score, but it demonstrated that Team Slovenia’s offense was still potent. In addition to the win over Slovenia, the Australians were also awarded a forfeit against Nigeria.
China rebounds with two wins
France lost both of their games on the day. China pulled out a close match against them 20-26, and then Japan defeated them 21-40. Brazil joined Team France in the two-loss column, losing to Panama by 6 points, and to China 27-35. China recovered from their two losses on Day One, to rack up two wins on Day Two. They beat France and Brazil, but struggled at times, winning both games by 6 and 8 points respectively.
Knockout round begins on Day Three
Day Three begins the knockout round. The morning kicks off when Team Mexico plays Spain, and Canada draws Austria at 09:30 local time. At 10:30, the United States takes on Germany, and Great Britain faces Panama. Brazil and Slovenia will see who goes home with at least one win at the same time.
France will receive a forfeit from Nigeria in the next round of games at 11:45. Day
