Kicking off a huge year for international flag football, the national teams ranked number one and number three in the current IFAF world rankings will face off in an eye-catching exhibition game during the buildup to Super Bowl XL in San Francisco.
The United States and Mexico will clash on Thursday, February 5, at the Moscone Center, the venue that will host the NFL Pro Bowl flag football games played between all-star teams from the AFC and NFC Conferences two days earlier.
IFAF and the NFL are working together to grow the sport of flag football worldwide, and this year the NFL is transforming Super Bowl Week into a giant showcase for flag football, with a full programme of celebrations and activities including youth and creator games.
The game will be streamed free and worldwide on the NFL’s YouTube channel offering a thrilling taste of what lies ahead this August, when a new-era edition of the IFAF Flag Football World Championships will bring together 32 of the world’s best men’s and women’s teams in Düsseldorf, Germany.
Despite their history of hard-fought gold medal games, the traditional rivals have not met since 2023. USA and Mexico were scheduled to contest the 2025 IFAF Americas Continental Championship in Panama in September, but inclement weather canceled the gold medal game. IFAF declared the U.S. and Mexico continental co-champions.
The U.S. defeated Mexico 44-41 in the finals of the 2021 IFAF Flag Football World Championship in Israel and 40-36 at the 2023 IFAF Americas Continental Championship on home soil.
“This matchup is overdue,” said USA quarterback Darrel ‘Housh’ Doucette. “Our guys want it, and I’m sure Mexico does too. Competing at the Super Bowl Experience is a great chance to put a bow on our season and turn the page toward the 2026 World Championships.
“We plan to approach this exhibition with the same preparation and intensity as a regular game. This is a dream opportunity to showcase the sport we all love while at the center of football’s biggest stage.”
Mexico defensive back and captain, Ramón Alonso Gaxiola said: “This opportunity that both teams are going to have is incredible. We had been eager to play in Panama.”
The game is recognized by IFAF as an international exhibition but will not carry IFAF world rankings points.
Photo: USA Football
