Team USA's 14-Year Winning Streak in Flag Football Ends Against American Samoa

Team USA's flag football team experienced its first defeat in 14 years, losing to American Samoa 38-32 during the 2026 World Flag tournament held in Dusseldorf, Germany.

This loss occurs just under two years before flag football is set to debut as an Olympic sport, challenging the assumption that the USA would secure a gold medal in Los Angeles.

Among the American Samoa players is Taulia Tagovailoa, who has a background in college football at Alabama and Maryland, as well as experience in the CFL and UFL. This outcome highlights the growing competitiveness of flag football internationally, suggesting that other nations are becoming formidable opponents.