The women’s national team of Argentina followed the men into IFAF international competition last year and now the U17 boys will participate at the IV South American Youth Games Panama 2026 at the Emilio Royo Stadium in Panama City.

Head coach Cesar Liatti is no stranger to flag football on a prominent stage. He has orchestrated the fortunes of the men’s national team at the past two IFAF Americas continental championships in 2023 and 2025 and at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships. Before that he coached tackle and flag teams in Buenos Aires from 2006 to 2022.

“We hope to have a good tournament and bring a medal for the country,” he says of the upcoming ODESUR games. “I think we are well prepared for that.”

Preparation began with tryouts for a large number of players to establish an initial squad of 30 players. After a month of training, that group was reduced to 18 and then after two months of training twice a week to the final selection of the 12 athletes who will travel to Panama.

“All the boys are very talented, we are very happy with the level overall,” added Liatti, who credits flag football’s inclusion in the Olympic Games for an explosion in interest in the sport.

“It is something incredible and it is a sport that has had exceptional global growth rarely seen,” he said. “Argentina is no exception. Flag football has grown exponentially in the last five years, both in men and women. Having the chance to participate in important events worldwide like the Olympic Games or these ODESUR Games gives growing countries the opportunity to capitalize on exposure by reaching as many people as possible, of all genders and ages.”

Argentina’s U17 Boys will begin their IV South American Youth Games Panama 2026 challenge on Friday, April 17, in the tournament’s opening game against Uruguay at 8am. That is followed by a clash with Brazil at 11.45am and host nation Panama at 4.45pm. The teams will meet again in the double round robin on Saturday to decide the order of Sunday’s semifinals.