The Canadian women’s flag football team has secured a spot in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles after defeating Mexico 20-6 in a crucial International Federation of American Football (IFAF) world championship semifinal in Duesseldorf, Germany. Rachel Lessard, the head coach of the Canadian women’s team, expressed her pride in the team’s accomplishment, emphasizing their discipline, resilience, and unity throughout the qualifying process. The team’s success reflects the growing prominence of flag football in Canada, and they are excited to carry this momentum to the Olympics.
In the men’s and women’s world championships, the top two countries automatically qualified for the 2028 Olympics, with an opportunity for a third spot if the United States, as the host nation, made it to the finals. The Canadian women will now face the U.S. in the world title match, while Mexico and Britain will compete for the last women’s Olympic slot in the bronze-medal game.
Despite a 41-36 loss to Italy in the men’s semifinal, the Canadian men still have a chance to secure an early Olympic berth in the bronze-medal match against Mexico. The U.S. and Italy will vie for the men’s gold at the championship on Sunday. Additionally, countries can earn Olympic berths through continental championships next year and a subsequent qualifying series.
The Canadian women’s team’s journey to the Olympics has been lauded by Eva Havaris, Football Canada’s CEO, who commended the team’s hard work and outstanding performance. Sara Parker’s impressive passing game, along with standout performances from players like Silvia Contreras and Caroline Moquin-Joubert, contributed to the team’s success. Similarly, in the men’s semifinal, strong efforts from players like James Drysdale and Jackson Tachinski showcased Canada’s competitive spirit in the face of tough competition.