By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-14 16:44:52 | Updated at 2026-08-15 17:55:12
1 day ago
Team USA has suffered a humiliating loss at the 2026 World Flag Football tournament, being beaten 38-32 by American Samoa.
American Samoa has an official population of just 46,765 people and is only slightly larger in size than Washington D.C., but caused a seismic shock as America was beaten in the competition for the first time in 14 years.
And a familiar face was at the center of the upset, as NFL star Tua Tagovailoa's brother, Taulia, played quarterback and guided the American Samoa team to the famous win in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Tagovailoa played college football at Alabama and Maryland, setting the Big Ten passing yards record with the Terrapins. He has since played in the CFL, UFL and in Europe before turning to Flag Football with the Olympics around the corner.
The sport will debut at the Los Angeles games in 2028. The USA has been presumed as an automatic gold medal winner in the event, but that now looks in doubt after the shocking upset proved they are beatable.
The USA beat Israel 50-38 in its first game on Thursday, and will face Australia hours after the American Samoa loss looking to safely secure its place in Saturday's quarterfinals with roads leading to Sunday's gold medal game.
Team USA lost at the World Flag tournament for the first time in 14 years in Germany
Taulia Tagovailoa led American Samoa, with a population of just 45,000, to a historic win
Team USA's loss in Dusseldorf comes with the sport preparing for its Olympic debut in LA
But the loss against American Samoa plays into the fascinating dynamics at play regarding team selection for the Olympics. Much has been made of NFL players potentially making the switch in order to win a gold medal and strengthen the team, with a host of big names expressing an interest in taking part, including Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Tyreek Hill, Stefon Diggs and Aaron Jones.
After NFL owners unanimously voted to approve a proposal permitting NFL players to compete, Justin Jefferson said: 'I'm just at a loss of words. Just to think about the chances of playing in the Olympics and getting a gold medal is a dream, just reverting back to being a kid and watching the track and field meets, watching basketball win the gold medal.
'That's something that as a kid I always wanted to be a part of, but football wasn't global. So now that we're expanding the game and we're going more global, it's pretty cool.'
But Team USA dominated star-studded NFL teams in the inaugural Fanatics Flag Football Classic earlier this year, beating teams including the likes of Tom Brady, Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, Davante Adams, Stefon Diggs, Alvin Kamara, Jalen Ramsey and Derwin James.
Quarterback Darnell Doucette told The Guardian last year that their team is 'already great' as he added: 'I think it's disrespectful that they just automatically assume that they're able to just join the Olympic team because of the person that they are – they didn't help grow this game to get to the Olympics. Give the guys who helped this game get to where it's at their respect.
'We just don't think they're going to be able to walk on the field and make the Olympic team because of the name, right?. They still have to go out there and compete.'
Back in 2024, Doucette caused a stir when he told TMZ: 'I feel like I'm better than Patrick Mahomes because of my IQ of the game.
'I know he's right now the best in the [NFL], I know he's more accurate, I know he has all these intangibles. But when it comes to flag football, I feel like I know more than him.'
Tua Tagovailoa's brother Taulia played a starring role at QB in the American Samoa upset
Joe Burrow is among the NFL stars who is interested in playing in the LA Olympics
Team USA will be huge favorites to win the gold medal whoever ends up being selected
While existing USA flag players insist NFL players would need to earn their spot, CEO and executive director of USA Football, Scott Hallenback, told ESPN last year: 'If NFL players are eligible, we're ready to help create opportunities for these athletes to showcase their skills and be included on the national team.
'USA Football's ultimate goal is to bring home two gold medals in flag football, and we're committed to exploring every path to build the strongest Team USA possible.'
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said: 'I think this news represents a great opportunity for the sport, for the NFL. It's truly the next step in making NFL football and football a global sport for men and women of all ages and all opportunities across the globe. We think that's the right thing to do, and this is a big step in accomplishing that.'
