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 held in Duesseldorf, Germany. Head coach Rachel Lessard expressed pride in the team’s achievement, emphasizing their discipline, resilience, and trust that led to this opportunity. The team’s success reflects the growing prominence of Canadian flag football, with anticipation to carry this momentum to the Olympic Games.
By reaching the world championship finals, Canada and the United States have both qualified for the 2028 Olympics. The upcoming clash between the Canadian women and the U.S. team will determine the world title. Meanwhile, Mexico and Britain will compete for the remaining women’s Olympic berth in the bronze-medal match.
Despite a 41-36 loss to Italy in the men’s semifinal, Canada still has a chance to secure an early Olympic ticket in the bronze-medal match against Mexico. The U.S. team emerged victorious in the semifinals and will face Italy for the men’s gold at the world championship. Additional opportunities for countries to qualify for the Los Angeles Olympics include next year’s continental championships and a subsequent qualifying series.
In the recent matches, Canada’s women triumphed over Mexico and Austria, while the men secured victories against American Samoa. Notably, the women’s team also achieved a narrow 34-33 win against the U.S. at the USA Football Summer Series earlier in the year. Eva Havaris, Football Canada’s CEO, commended the women’s team for their dedication and exceptional performance, expressing excitement for their official qualification for the Olympic stage.
Key players in Saturday’s semifinals included Sara Parker, Silvia Contreras, Caroline Moquin-Joubert, and Alexane Fournier for the women’s team, as well as James Drysdale, Jackson Tachinski, and Antony Auclair for the men’s team. The stage is set for Canada’s flag football teams to make their mark at the 2028 Olympic Games, showcasing their talent and determination on an international platform.