The Brazilian women’s and men’s national flag football teams arrived in Düsseldorf, Germany, to compete in the IFAF World Flag Championship, chasing a qualification path toward the sport’s Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, according to reports from CNN Brasil.
As the sport experiences global expansion, the national teams are positioning themselves on the international stage. The women’s squad, affectionately known as the “Onças,” enters Group D alongside Canada, Japan, and Panama. Meanwhile, the men’s team competes in Group C against Mexico, Switzerland, and Germany.
Gabi Bankhardt Leads the Women’s National Team in Germany
Gabi Bankhardt, a 29-year-old athlete from Santa Catarina, serves as the team captain and a global ambassador for the NFL Flag program. Speaking on the team’s arrival and the weight of the competition, Bankhardt highlighted the collective mindset of the roster.
“We have a great responsibility, but also joy for being here. Representing our country in one of the most important competitions in our history has a weight that we understand well,” Bankhardt told CNN Brasil.
The tournament serves as a milestone for the sport as it builds toward Los Angeles 2028, where flag football will feature on the Olympic program for the first time. Bankhardt emphasized the growth of the discipline both domestically and internationally, noting that while every nation is developing, Brazil is keeping pace.
“It is a happiness to conquer this place. We are living a great moment of flag football, and being able to write this history alongside a team of such incredible women is wonderful,” Bankhardt added, according to CNN Brasil.
Tournament Schedule and Tactical Adjustments
The opening stage of the IFAF World Flag Championship in Düsseldorf kicks off with group matchups. The Brazilian women’s team faces Japan in the morning session, followed by a test against Canada in the afternoon. The group stage concludes with a match against Panama, setting the stage for the final phases scheduled across the weekend.
According to Bankhardt, the squad has modified its technical and tactical schemes to catch opponents off guard after months of preparation.
“Grit and will will not be lacking for our team, you can be sure of that. We prepared for a long time for this moment and changed our technical and tactical scheme to surprise. We will enter with a lot of will, with the energy that only we have,” Bankhardt stated to CNN Brasil.
The men’s national team follows an identical competition timeline in Group C, taking on Mexico, Switzerland, and Germany as both programs target Olympic qualification.
Grassroots Growth Fueled by NFL Flag Program
The surge in competitiveness mirrors foundational development back home. In Brazil, thousands of young athletes now practice the sport, spurred by the NFL Flag program. Through partnerships with municipal and state education departments, the initiative provides structure for the practice in schools in cities including São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Data from the program indicates that more than 10,000 students are already impacted by these partnerships, initiating the formation of the sport’s base in the country as the sport transitions toward its Olympic era.
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