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 semifinal match at the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) world championship held in Duesseldorf, Germany.
Expressing her pride in the team, head coach Rachel Lessard commended the discipline, resilience, and trust displayed by the Canadian players throughout the qualification process. The team’s qualification for the 2028 Olympics marks a significant achievement for Canadian flag football, showcasing the sport’s growing momentum.
In the men’s and women’s world championships, the top two countries earned spots in the 2028 Olympics, with the possibility of a third spot if the United States, as the host nation, advanced to the finals. The Canadian women will face the U.S. team in the world championship final, with Mexico and Britain vying for the remaining women’s Olympic berth in the bronze-medal match.
Despite a 41-36 loss to Italy in the men’s semifinal, the Canadian men still have a chance to secure an early Olympic ticket by competing against Mexico in the bronze-medal match. The U.S. will battle Italy for the men’s gold at the championship.
In addition to the current championships, countries can also qualify for the Los Angeles Olympics through next year’s continental championships and a subsequent qualifying series. Both the Canadian men and women displayed strong performances in the quarterfinals, with the women defeating the U.S. team 34-33 in a previous match.
Eva Havaris, CEO of Football Canada, praised the women’s team for their dedication and outstanding performance, emphasizing that their qualification for the Olympics is well-deserved. The team’s success was highlighted by standout performances from players like Sara Parker, Silvia Contreras, Caroline Moquin-Joubert, and Alexane Fournier, who all contributed significantly to the team’s victories.