Mexico and the United States have been declared joint champions of the 2025 IFAF Men’s American Flag Football Continental Championships.
Owing to local weather conditions at the Estadio Virgilio Tejeira Andrión in Panama, IFAF and the local organizing committee took the decision that the men’s gold medal game would not be played.
IFAF released a statement that said:
“This decision has been taken to ensure player safety, which is our top priority, and in line with provisions for unforeseen circumstances in the tournament rules. A lengthy lightning delay means that the game cannot be completed satisfactorily.
“We understand and share the disappointment of players and fans and thank them for their contribution to what has been a superb showcase of flag football in Panama.”
Photo: Ernesto Campuzano
Canada celebrated winning the bronze medal with a 32-22 victory over Panama as Michael O’Connor threw for five touchdowns to four different receivers. James Drysdale caught a pair and Francois Rocheleau, Antony Auclair, and Jeanslee Alexis all made trips to the end zone in the win.
Fifth place came with the prize of the Americas’ final berth at the 2026 IFAF World Championships in Dusseldorf next summer and Brazil edged a nerve-wracking contest 7-0 over South American rivals Argentina to lock in the coveted place.
Quarterback Vitor Paiva connected with receiver Adner Sanches for the all-important score early in the game before both defenses held, including Brazil denying Argentina at the one-yard mark. Two years ago, at the Americas in Charlotte, North Carolina, Brazil also beat Argentina but finished seventh overall as they lost a three-way tiebreaker with their neighbors and Chile.
Photo: Ernesto Campuzano
“This is what was supposed to happen in Charlotte,” said an emotional cornerback Admar Santos. “We knew in our hearts that out on the field we could show what we knew all along.
“I was shaking today, I was nervous and I’m usually cool, calm and collected but the game was so close. It is truly a game of inches. It was a game of taking over someone else’s mistakes. We not only had to play a great game but mistake free football. We had to play the perfect game and that’s exactly what we did.”
Beaten in the four-team playoff for the right to play for fifth place, Guatemala beat Chile to finish seventh overall while Colombia beat El Salvador and Jamaica to claim ninth spot.
Final Standings
Mexico / United States joint champions
3rd Canada
4th Panama
5th Brazil
6th Argentina
7th Guatemala
8th Chile
9th Colombia
10th Jamaica
11th El Salvador