There’s nothing quite like a North American rivalry series and two of the region’s heavyweights will battle it out in a USA Football Rivalry Series game on Friday in Los Angeles.
The United States men’s and women’s flag football national teams will take on their counterparts from Canada at Dignity Health Sports Park at 8.30pm EST (women) and 9.30pm (men) on June 19.
The teams meet as part of the buildup to IFAF World Flag 2026 in Germany when teams representing 19 nations from five continents will compete from August 13-16 at the biggest and most important global flag football event before the LA28 Olympics. Tickets are now available at www.worldflag26.vivenushop.com.
The women’s game pits the number two world ranked and reigning IFAF world champions USA against fourth-ranked Canada. The rivals topped their respective groups at the IFAF Americas in 2025 but did not meet in the knockout stages of that continental championship as Canada advanced to the title game and took home the silver medal, while USA won bronze.
Canada has twice beaten the United States to lift the IFAF World Championships crown, in 2010 and 2014.
The women’s teams did meet in the group stages at The World Games in Chengdu, China, last year with the United States emerging as 39-31 winners in a close encounter. The Americans were stunned on the second play of the contest as Canada quarterback Sara Parker found Emma Racine in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown. Trailing 7-0, USA hit back immediately Izzy Geraci caught the first of her team-leading three touchdown grabs.
The game was too close to call as Canada led 19-18 at halftime but a safety forced by Amber Clark-Robinson and a Madison Fulford touchdown opened a 14-point lead. Canada clawed their way back to within eight points, but the American defense held firm to deny their rivals.
Ranked number one in the world, the US men’s team welcomes tenth ranked Canada, a rival they beat 54-26 in the group stages at Americas Flag 2025 in Panama. USA went on to share the gold medal with Mexico, while Canada took bronze.
“I think Canada is definitely up and coming,” said USA quarterback Darrell Doucette when asked about rivals for the Americans’ crown at IFAF World Flag 2026 this summer. “They showed last year that they’re a different team than what they previously were, and they're ready to go out there, compete, and win gold.”
Photo: Xinhua/Chen Bin/The World Games
