Canada’s male flag football team secured a place alongside the women’s team at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles after triumphing over Mexico 34-26 in the bronze-medal match at the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) world championship held in Düsseldorf, Germany. Quarterback Michael O’Connor showcased an impressive performance, throwing for 134 yards and four touchdowns, making successful connections with Antony Auclair, Daniel Petermann, and James Drysdale. The game was deadlocked at 20-20 by the end of regulation, but Canada emerged victorious in overtime when O’Connor found Auclair for the game-winning touchdown. Canada’s defense also shone, with Marc-Antoine Dequoy securing an interception and François Rocheleau notching three sacks. The top teams from both the men’s and women’s world championships were slated to qualify for the 2028 Olympics, marking the inaugural inclusion of flag football in the Olympic roster. Despite the United States already being guaranteed a spot as the host nation and advancing to the men’s final, the top three finishers in the men’s competition earned Olympic slots. The Canadian women’s team is set to compete against the U.S. in the world championship final.