The summer storms of Panama briefly extinguished the long-established rivalry between the flag football national teams of the United States and Mexico.
Two of flag football’s most successful nations were scheduled to contest the 2025 IFAF Americas Continental Championship in Panama in September, but inclement weather canceled the gold medal game between the two rivals. IFAF declared the U.S. and Mexico continental co-champions.
Now they clash on Thursday at 3.45pm amid the NFL’s transformation of Super Bowl LX Week into a giant showcase for flag football on a purpose-built field at the Moscone Center that hosted the Pro Bowl earlier this week in San Francisco.
“It’s just amazing to be here during the Super Bowl, it’s special,” said wide receiver Guillermo Villalobos, who has represented Mexico since 2018. “We talked about it frequently that there was nothing anyone could do about the weather, it was just bad luck. This is the game that we want, to play against the US. We are ready to show what we train and practice for.”
Despite their history of hard-fought gold medal games, the teams have not met since 2023, so are eager for the opportunity to resume the rivalry even in a friendly exhibition game. 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.
“It’s the game that never was,” says USA head coach Jorge Cascudo. “It’s a friendly, we know that, but we have one goal which is to win. I’m happy that we’re able to settle the talk about who might have won on the field.”
Speaking during a practice session in picturesque Golden Gate Park just a stone’s throw from the Atlantic Ocean, Villalobos gestured towards the US team going through their paces on an adjoining field.
“Some of us play on the same teams in tournaments here and in Mexico, so the end of the day, we are friends, but we like to compete as well. I know all those guys very well and it is always intense when we play each other.”
Cascudo said of the United States’ familiar opponent: “They have great athletes and flag football in Mexico is incredible and there is talent all over the place. We’ve always got to prepare to scheme something different and add something new because you’ve always got to keep adjusting and moving to be successful in this game. They bring a lot of trickery to the offensive side of the ball so we have to stay on top of our game and be focused.”
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.
The game is recognized by IFAF as an international exhibition but will not carry IFAF world rankings points.
Photo: FMFA
