The United States are flag football world champions again. In Duesseldorf they beat Italy 46-26 in the final for a seventh world title — and they took the long way there.
A dynasty, briefly interrupted
For the first time in fourteen years, the USA lost a match at a World Championship, a group-stage defeat to American Samoa. The answer was three straight playoff wins over Japan, Mexico and Italy. The crown stayed home.
The road to LA28
This was the first Worlds to double as an Olympic qualifier, with flag football bound for Los Angeles 2028. Tournament MVP Darrell Doucette accounted for four touchdowns in the final. On the women's side, Canada edged the USA 27-20 for gold.
