The municipality of Sorriso in Mato Grosso has secured 22 athlete selections across the Brazilian men’s and women’s flag football teams, establishing a significant regional footprint as the national squads prepare for international competition at Panama 2026.
Flag football across Brazil has entered a period of broad national expansion following confirmation of the sport’s inclusion in upcoming international events, according to the Confederação Brasileira de Flag Football (CBFF). To build competitive rosters for the Panama 2026 tournament, the confederation organized nationwide training camps designed to scout talent beyond traditional metropolitan hubs. That outreach captured athletes from nearly every state, uniting players from Goiás, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Paraná, Mato Grosso, Pernambuco, São Paulo, Santa Catarina, and Amazonas.
National Scouting Initiative Broadens Roster Geography
Rakel Barros, vice-president of the Confederação Brasileira de Flag Football and head of delegation for youth competitions, stated that the push to scour every corner of the country was essential to identifying top-tier talent. “We need to look at all regions, all states, to find the best,” Barros explained regarding the scouting strategy that brought participants from diverse local realities into the national training environment.
That geographic spread is evident in the player pool. Pablo Santiago, a 17-year-old athlete from Sorriso, Mato Grosso, earned a spot in the program and noted the significance of his selection. “It’s an incredible experience to be here, especially being my international debut,” Santiago said. On the women’s side, 15-year-old Maria Eduarda Maia from Manaus emphasized the social and cultural integration fostered by the camp environment. “We’ve all become friends,” Maia said, describing how athletes from contrasting regions and infrastructure backgrounds bonded during training.
Coaching Staff Focuses on Cultural Integration
Coaches for both national teams have embraced the challenge of merging different regional playing styles into unified squads. Women’s team head coach Anderson Ibanez stressed the importance of honoring localized traditions rather than forcing a single tactical framework. “It’s not about bringing my style of play, but understanding theirs,” Ibanez noted.
Similarly, men’s team head coach Marcos Ferrete pointed to a recent selection camp that drew 60 athletes from nearly every state as proof of the sport’s wide appeal. Ferrete expressed optimism that blending these varied experiences could forge a distinct Brazilian style of flag football. Both coaches share a broader mandate: ensuring these players return to their home regions equipped to act as foundational leaders. “We want them to be the seed in their teams,” Ferrete said, while Ibanez added that visibility for athletes from remote areas provides a tangible pathway for children facing local infrastructure limitations.
Next Steps on the Road to Panama 2026
The newly formed national squads will continue their preparation through localized training blocks and confederation-managed camps leading up to the Panama 2026 tournament. Official roster updates and schedule announcements are managed directly through the Confederação Brasileira de Flag Football.
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