Taulia Tagovailoa Guides American Samoa to Historic Flag Football Victory Over USA

At the IFAF Flag Football Championships in Düsseldorf, Germany, American Samoa secured a 38-32 triumph over the United States, breaking the Americans’ 14-year unbeaten run at the event. The win was powered by 26-year-old Taulia Tagovailoa, who completed 29 of 36 passes for 213 yards and five touchdowns. Tagovailoa, the younger sibling of Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and a former Maryland quarterback, thanked God after the game and emphasized that the team must continue improving.

The United States suffered its first loss at the championships since a 2012 final defeat to Austria. Flag football will debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with the U.S. already qualified as host and American Samoa now competing for one of the remaining spots. Tagovailoa’s performance follows a professional journey that includes stints in the Canadian Football League, Indoor Football League and United Football League after going undrafted in 2024.