All articles tagged with #usa football
The United States lead Australia 2-0 at Seattle’s Lumen Field in World Cup 2026 after Cameron Burgess’s own goal and a VAR-reviewed, onside finish by Alex Freeman before halftime, with Christian Pulisic sidelined by injury. A win would push the US toward advancing to the knockout stage, and they could clinch group relief if Turkey fail to beat Paraguay later in Group D.
An NCAA committee recommended adding a National Collegiate Flag Football Championship for Division I, II and III with a possible debut by 2028, contingent on at least 40 schools sponsoring varsity programs and meeting competition and participation standards; USA Football says the move would grow the game and strengthen the talent pipeline ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
USA Football is building a multi-track selection process for the 2028 Olympic flag football team in Los Angeles, combining active NFL players, top flag specialists, and talent-transfer athletes, with acclimation camps planned in 2027 and a selection framework expected to be approved by the USOPC in late 2026. The process will weigh how NFL participation is integrated, and whether roster spots will be allocated per NFL team or through broader tryouts and camps ahead of LA28.
At the Fanatics Flag Football Classic in Los Angeles, current and former NFL players learned the no-contact, five-on-five game, with defense and flag-grabbing proving the biggest adjustment as they adapt from tackle football; the event could influence USA Football’s selection process for the 2028 Olympic team, with organizers favoring positions like cornerbacks, receivers, and scatbacks over brute-force players. The exhibition is seen as Round One in a longer process toward building the 2028 squad and future flag competitions, including how 2027 participants might be chosen.
Team USA swept three games against NFL-star squads at the Fanatics Flag Football Classic in LA, winning 106-44 and signaling Olympic potential for 2028. MVP Darrell 'Housh' Doucette went 8-for-8 with 67 yards and 3 passing TDs, plus 76 rushing yards and 3 rushing TDs and 5 receptions for 79 yards. Nico Casares was 24-of-27 for 332 yards and five TDs. The Founders (Brady/Payton) lost both round-robin games, while the Wildcats (Burrow/Daniels) were defeated in the final. Odell Beckham Jr. flashed with a circus catch. The event highlighted NFL players’ need to adapt to flag-football rules, but Team USA looks well-positioned for Olympic contention.
Hall of Fame cornerback Darrell Green, 66, is chasing a spot on USA Football's flag football Team USA after qualifying via a digital combine and earning a spot at weekend trials; a strong showing could land him on the roster for the flag football world championships in Germany this summer, though participation in the 2028 Olympic team remains unclear.
War in the Middle East forces the Saudi flag football event to move to Los Angeles, where on March 21 at BMO Stadium a three‑team tournament will be played: two teams made up of current and former NFL players and the U.S. men’s national flag football team. Coaches will be Kyle Shanahan and Sean Payton, with Robert Saleh as defensive specialist. Potential players include Barkley, Garrett, Beckham, Gronkowski and possibly Logan Paul. USA Football will determine the Olympic roster, making the event a real competitive step toward flag football’s Olympic presence and a measurable risk for NFL players.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell clarified that USA Football will be responsible for selecting the Olympic flag football team for 2028, with the NFL having only indirect influence through its involvement in USA Football's governance. The article highlights potential issues with USA Football's compliance with its bylaws and the significant influence the NFL could exert over the team selection process due to its board and committee positions. As flag football becomes an Olympic sport with NFL players eligible, USA Football's governance and procedures will come under increased scrutiny.