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. Head coach Rachel Lessard expressed pride in the team’s discipline and resilience, emphasizing the hard work that led to this achievement.
Canada’s success in the world championships has qualified them for the upcoming Olympic debut of flag football. The top two countries from both the men’s and women’s competitions earned spots for 2028, with the possibility of a third spot if the United States, as the host, 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 women’s Olympic qualification in the bronze-medal match. Despite the Canadian men’s loss to Italy, they still have a chance to secure an early Olympic ticket in the bronze-medal match against Mexico.
The road to the 2028 Olympics includes next year’s continental championships and a qualifying series the following year. The outstanding performance of the Canadian teams, particularly the women’s squad, has garnered praise from Football Canada’s CEO, Eva Havaris, who commended their hard work and determination.
Notable performances in the semifinals included Sara Parker passing for 107 yards and key contributions from players like Silvia Contreras, Caroline Moquin-Joubert, and Alexane Fournier for the women’s team. The men’s team saw strong efforts from players like James Drysdale, Jackson Tachinski, and Antony Auclair despite their semifinal loss to Italy.