The Canadian women’s flag football team has secured a spot at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles after defeating Mexico 20-6 in the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) world championship semifinal in Duesseldorf, Germany. Coach Rachel Lessard expressed pride in the team’s discipline and resilience, attributing their success to hard work and determination.
Canada’s women will face the U.S. in the world championship final, with the winner earning the world title. The top two countries from both the men’s and women’s world championships will qualify for the 2028 Olympics, where flag football will make its debut. If the United States, as the host country, reaches the final, the top three finishers will qualify for the Olympic Games.
In the men’s competition, Canada fell short in the semifinals against Italy but still has a chance to secure an early Olympic berth in the bronze-medal match against Mexico. The U.S. will compete against Italy for the men’s gold medal.
The Canadian women’s team’s journey to the Olympics has been marked by significant victories, including a 34-33 win over the U.S. at the USA Football Summer Series. Chief Executive Officer Eva Havaris commended the team’s hard work and outstanding performance, emphasizing their well-deserved spot on the Olympic stage.
Sara Parker shined in the semifinal with 107 passing yards, while Silvia Contreras led the receivers with 38 yards and a touchdown. Caroline Moquin-Joubert and Alexane Fournier also contributed with touchdowns. In the men’s competition, James Drysdale, Jackson Tachinski, and Antony Auclair scored for Canada in the semifinal loss.
Apart from the world championships, countries can also qualify for the 2028 Olympics through continental championships and a subsequent qualifying series. The Canadian men and women had impressive victories in the quarterfinals, setting the stage for their strong performance in the competition.