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 a semifinal match at the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) world championship held in Duesseldorf, Germany. Head coach Rachel Lessard expressed her pride in the team’s achievement, attributing it to their discipline, resilience, and trust developed throughout the process.
Canada’s success in the world championship ensures their participation at the 2028 Olympics, where flag football will make its debut. The top two teams from both the men’s and women’s championships qualify directly for the Olympics, with an additional spot available if the host country, the United States, reaches the final.
The Canadian women will face the U.S. in the world championship final, while Mexico and Britain will compete for the remaining Olympic spot in the bronze-medal match. Despite a semifinal loss for the Canadian men against Italy, they still have a chance to secure an Olympic berth in a bronze-medal match against Mexico.
Canada’s women’s team has been on a winning streak, defeating Mexico in the semifinals and previously triumphing over the U.S. and Austria. The team’s performance has been commended by Eva Havaris, the CEO of Football Canada, who praised their hard work and outstanding results.
Key players in the Canadian team, such as Sara Parker, Silvia Contreras, and Caroline Moquin-Joubert, delivered notable performances in the semifinals. The men’s team, led by players like James Drysdale and Jackson Tachinski, put up a strong fight despite their semifinal loss to Italy.
In addition to the world championship, countries can also qualify for the 2028 Olympics through continental championships and a subsequent qualifying series. The success of the Canadian flag football teams reflects the sport’s growing popularity and the country’s commitment to excellence on the international stage.