Great Britain’s women’s flag football team saw their first opportunity to secure an Olympic place slip away with a narrow semifinal defeat to the United States, yet they remain in contention to qualify when the bronze medal game takes place on Sunday.
Playing at the World Championships in Germany, the GB side had topped their group and then rallied from behind to beat Panama 26-20 in the quarterfinals. That set up a semifinal clash with the defending champions, and Great Britain powered to a 21-7 lead in the first half, with Grace Conway, Angelica Tait and Emily Kemp all scoring touchdowns.
The USA, however, mounted a determined comeback to win 27-21 and end GB’s hopes of claiming the title. In the other semifinal, Canada defeated Mexico 20-6 to reach their first final since 2014.
With the United States already guaranteed a place at Los Angeles 2028 as hosts, the winner of Sunday’s bronze medal game between Great Britain and Mexico, at 11:30 BST, will secure the other Olympic spot available in Dusseldorf.
Great Britain enter that match ranked third in the world and having won the past two European Championships. Mexico are the top-ranked nation, having lost the past two World finals to the USA but beaten them in the 2022 and 2025 World Games finals. Further Olympic qualification opportunities will not become available for another two years.
Meanwhile, the GB men’s team began their tournament with a 50-35 defeat to Switzerland in their first ranking game on Saturday, before responding with a 28-20 win over Austria. They will face Brazil on Sunday to decide who finishes 13th and 14th.
In the men’s competition, the USA will meet Italy in the final, while Canada take on Mexico in the bronze medal game.
All of that leaves Great Britain with a clear target: beat Mexico on Sunday to claim the last available Olympic spot in Dusseldorf.
