The line up for knockout stages of the flag football tournament at The World Games will be determined when the conclusion of the group stages action gets underway in Chengdu at 9am local time in China on Friday (3am CET / 9pm US EST Thursday).
All games are streamed live at The World Games Live from the Chengdu No. 7 High School Eastern Campus Athletics Field and the full schedule and score updates are available at the official website of The World Games.
9am: Great Britain vs Japan, Group B
The Europe and Asia-Oceania champions meet as they did in the knockout stages of the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Finland where Japan emerged as narrow winners. Great Britain beat Italy 26-13 in their first ever World Games appearance yesterday, while Japan fell to defending champion Mexico.
10.10am: Mexico vs Italy Group B
Mexico was a convincing 41-24 winner over Japan in defense of its 2022 title as star quarterback Diana Flores threw five touchdowns and five different Mexican receivers hauled in scoring grabs. Italy aims to bounce back from a 26-13 defeat to Great Britain.
11.20am: Canada vs Austria, Group A
The winners of this clash will likely claim second place in Group A after both lost to the United States on the opening day of action. Canada quarterback Sara Parker has thrown the most touchdowns at The World Games so far (12) with Austria’s Saskia Stribrny just one scoring strike behind. Austria is Europe’s top-ranked team and finished fourth at the world championships last year, a place ahead of Canada.
2.30pm: USA vs China, Group A
A win for the United States will be enough to top the group with an unbeaten record after wins against Canada and Austria on the opening day. China agonizingly lost by two points to Austria and is aiming to avoid a third straight defeat. The hosts have impressed on their first-ever appearance in international competition.
3.40pm: Great Britain vs Mexico, Group B
One of the most experienced quarterbacks goes head-to-head with a newcomer in a game that could decide the group standings. Diana Flores leads Mexico, a team she has guided to two world championship and a continental championship silver medals, as well gold at The World Games gold in 2022. Jess Allen made her international debut in the win over Italy, throwing two touchdowns.
4.50pm: Japan vs Italy, Group AB
Both sides opened the tournament with a loss and meet again in the group stages of The World Games, as they did in Birmingham, Alabama, in 2022 when Japan emerged victorious.
Results and Standing after Day one
Group A USA 39 Canada 31 Austria 47 China 45 USA 48 Austria 34 Canada 48 China 12
Standings USA 2-0 Canada 1-1 Austria 1-1 China 0-2Group B Great Britain 26 Italy 13 Mexico 41 Japan 24
Standings Mexico 1-0 Great Britain 1-0 Japan 0-1 Italy 0-1
