The Brazilian women’s flag football national team are no strangers to international competition. And the Seleção are consistently getting better on the world’s stage.
Five IFAF Flag Football World Championships ago, Brazil made their debut in Sweden in 2012 and claimed 12th place. Two years later in Italy they improved by two spots then finished sixth in both the United States in 2016 and Panama in 2018. In Israel two years ago, Brazil’s women topped a group featuring Japan, Denmark and the host nation, then convincingly beat France 32-6 in the quarterfinals. They were eliminated by eventual silver medalists Mexico and claimed fourth place overall.
Having finished in seventh spot at The World Games last year, Brazil will arrive at the United States Performance Center (USPC) and University of North Carolina Charlotte full of confidence ahead of this week’s IFAF Americas Flag Football Championships, the region’s pinnacle event.
Wide receiver Taisa Alencar is expected to be among the stars of the Brazil team. The 26-year-old, who plays for the Cobrarés in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, proved to be a threat at wide receiver in last year’s World Games.
Brazil open with an all-South American clash against Chile at 9am on Wednesday, July 5, then face a rematch with Mexico (12.15pm) and a meeting with reigning world champions the United States (4pm). The following day sees games against Canada (10.30am) and Panama (2.30pm) before the placement and medal games on Friday, July 7. A full schedule is available at https://ifafamericaschampionship.com/game-center.
Victor Hugo Souza, known as “Mega” is a standout receiver on the Brazilian men’s team, which is in its relative infancy compared with the women’s squad.
Mega plays with the Six Spartans of São Paulo and is part of a domestic flag football scene that has developed rapidly during the past decade, with many athletes making the switch from tackle football. Back in 2012 there were only women’s flag football competitions, but now the men’s game is thriving with more than 60 active teams. Qualifying tournaments are played in each of the five regions of Brazil to determine who will contest the Super Final to be crowned national champions.
Looking to build on a 17th place finish from an IFAF Flag Football World Championships debut in Israel in 2021, Brazil’s men meet the continental challenge head on this Wednesday, opening the IFAF Americas tournament against reigning IFAF and World Games champions the United States (10.45am). South American rivals Argentina are next up (2.30pm), followed by Canada (5.30pm) to close out the first day of action.
The competition resumes the following morning with Brazil taking on Mexico (9am) and Chile (12pm), then concluding the group stages against Panama on Friday (9am).
Photo: Confederação Brasileira de Futebol Americano
