The flag football teams are fighting for a ticket to the World Cup in Germany.

▲ The celebration after winning the World Games . Photo Xinhua

▲ The women's and men's national teams were presented with the flags at the National Center for the Development of High-Performance Sports Talents. Photo: CONADE

Adriana Díaz Reyes

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, September 9, 2025, p. a11

Three weeks after securing their second World Games championship, the Mexican flag football team is already looking toward their next goal: qualifying for the 2026 World Championship in Germany.

Led by Diana Flores, the selected athletes will seek to secure one of the five spots available at the Continental Championship, which will take place from September 12 to 14 in Panama.

"It's been a very long process to be here, with a lot of discipline to overcome the selection process and perseverance to stay on the team. This is just the first step toward the bigger goal of qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games," said Andrea Martínez.

Mexico and the United States are the two favorites to win the tournament. The two titans of the sport will have Vanita Krouch of the U.S. team and Diana Flores as their defensive leaders.

The United States leads the world rankings and defeated Mexico in the last two IFAF World Cup finals (Israel 2021 and Finland 2024).

"We have the quality to return home already qualified for the World Cup and then have our revenge and beat them," added Martínez, born in Monterrey, Nuevo León.

The women's national team will play its first match on September 12 against Guatemala. The men's team will also be participating in the tournament, debuting that same day against El Salvador.

"We're very motivated and aiming to be among the best. We've trained hard, and the idea of ​​winning a medal for Mexico motivates us to give our all. Since it was announced that our sport will be in the Games, we've been doubly eager to be the best," said captain Alonso Gaxiola, who dreams of competing in Los Angeles.

Prior to the players' presentation for the Continental Cup, the teams were presented with the flag by Rommel Pacheco, head of CONADE.

“This event is much more than a competition; it's the prelude to history, because flag football is one step away from experiencing its biggest moment: its debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games,” he said.

The former diver highlighted the level of both teams and their future ahead of the summer tournament in just under three years. "We have the best generation of players ready to conquer the continent and continue making history," the Yucatecan native added in a statement.

Mexico has built an elite reputation in the sport thanks to its competitive structure, the talent of its national teams, and a strong social base in schools, leagues, and parks across the country. With 12 members on the roster, the team combines experience, youth, and a specialization by position that has yielded results on the international stage.

Emir Olivares and Alonso Urrutia

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, September 9, 2025, p. a11

President Claudia Sheinbaum asserted that if there is evidence of corruption in the Benito Juárez mayor's office due to the ban on the use of the Ciudad de los Deportes stadium, "it should be reported and investigated."

When asked about the dispute between América and the head of the district, Luis Mendoza, the president stated: "It would be good if it were reported if there really was an act of corruption and intimidation, that it be reported, that it be investigated," she emphasized.

Congratulations

During the morning press conference, the President congratulated the successful athletes and requested that a video be shown of their achievements.

The images show archers Maya Becerra, Mariana Bernal, and Adriana Castillo, who won gold in archery in Gwangju. Daniela Souza also won the same medal in taekwondo in Lima.

Athletes brought Mexico 15 medals at the San Salvador Pan American Judo Cup. Jorman Osuna and Ángel Cárdenas won silver in the seventh stage of the NORCECA Volleyball Confederation Tour , while cyclist Isaac del Toro took home the GP Industria & Artigianato.

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, September 9, 2025, p. a11

Drawn to boxing since she was eight years old, Ariadna Gil from Jalisco debuted with a victory at the 2025 Liverpool World Boxing Championships, where she defeated Scotland's Stephanie Margaret Kernachan by unanimous decision.

The boxer demonstrated forcefulness with every blow to overcome her opponent, who at times displayed good style in her attempt to secure victory. Gil countered her style to claim victory in the 54-kilogram division and advance to the quarterfinals.