Albuquerque Girls Picked for Mexico's Youth Flag Football World Team

Three local players with Mexican roots will compete in Orlando tournament.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 10:55pm

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Three young women from the Albuquerque area have been selected to play for Mexico's national youth flag football team at the upcoming World Championships in Orlando, Florida. The trio, all of whom have Mexican heritage, will represent Mexico in the international competition.

Why it matters

This is a rare opportunity for Albuquerque-area athletes to compete on the global stage, showcasing their skills and representing their Mexican roots. The selection of these players highlights the diverse talent pool in the region and the growing popularity of flag football worldwide.

The details

The three Albuquerque players chosen for Mexico's youth flag football team are Sophia Gutierrez, Ava Hernandez, and Isabella Ramirez. All three girls have extensive experience playing the sport at the high school level and were scouted by Mexico's national team coaches for their skill and athleticism.

  • The Youth Flag Football World Championships will take place in Orlando, Florida from June 15-20, 2026.

The players

Sophia Gutierrez

A high school flag football player from Albuquerque who was selected for Mexico's national youth team.

Ava Hernandez

An Albuquerque-area athlete who will represent Mexico in the Youth Flag Football World Championships.

Isabella Ramirez

One of three Albuquerque girls chosen to play for Mexico's national youth flag football team.

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What they’re saying

“This is an incredible honor and we're so proud to represent Mexico on the world stage. We've been working hard to prepare and can't wait for the competition.”

— Sophia Gutierrez

What’s next

The three Albuquerque players will travel to Mexico City in May for a training camp with the full Mexico national youth team before heading to Orlando for the World Championships in June.

The takeaway

The selection of these Albuquerque athletes to Mexico's national youth flag football team showcases the diverse talent pool in the region and the growing global popularity of the sport. It's an exciting opportunity for the players to represent their Mexican heritage on the international stage.