Canada’s male and female teams have progressed to the quarterfinals of the flag football world championships held in Germany. The men’s team faced a 37-28 defeat against Japan, securing the second spot in their group with a 2-1 record. Originally scheduled to play against Nigeria, Canada was given a default win as Nigeria withdrew from the tournament due to visa complications. Japan’s quarterback, Take Taniguchi, threw five touchdown passes, while Canada’s former CFL quarterback, Michael O’Connor, threw three TD passes. In the quarterfinals, they will compete against American Samoa, who caused an upset by defeating the top-ranked U.S. team.
On the other hand, the women’s team clinched the top position in their group with a flawless 3-0 record following a 34-20 victory over Japan. They are set to face Austria in the quarterfinals, with a potential semifinal match against the winner of Mexico and Spain. Quarterback Sara Parker showcased an impressive performance by throwing four touchdown passes against Japan, two of which were caught by Caroline Moquin-Joubert. Alexane Fournier and Marianne Quirion also contributed with TD receptions, while Frederique Morneau scored a rushing touchdown as Canada made a remarkable comeback by scoring 21 unanswered points in the second half after trailing 20-13 at halftime.
Aside from the quest for the world title, teams are also vying for a chance to secure spots in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The top two finishers in the world championships will earn coveted Olympic berths, marking the sport’s debut in the Olympic program. All matches of the event are available for live streaming on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem.