The Canadian women’s flag football team has secured a spot at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles after defeating Mexico with a score of 20-6 in the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) world championship semifinal held in Duesseldorf, Germany.
Expressing her pride in the team, Rachel Lessard, the head coach of the Canadian women’s team, commended the team’s discipline, resilience, and trust that led them to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games. She highlighted the team’s efforts and emphasized the growing prominence of Canadian flag football, stating their honor in representing the momentum at the 2028 Olympic Games.
The top two countries from both the men’s and women’s world championships have qualified for the 2028 Olympics, where flag football will debut. However, if the United States reaches either final, the top three finishers will qualify for the Games.
The Canadian women’s team is set to face the U.S. in the world title match after the U.S. secured a 27-21 victory over Britain in the semifinals. Meanwhile, Mexico and Britain will compete for the remaining women’s Olympic spot in the bronze-medal game.
In the men’s category, Canada faced a 41-36 defeat against Italy in the semifinals but still has a chance to secure an early Olympic ticket in the bronze-medal match against Mexico. The U.S. emerged victorious with a 42-40 score against Mexico and will compete against Italy for the men’s gold at the world championship.
Apart from the current qualifications, countries can also secure spots for the Los Angeles Olympics through the upcoming continental championships and a subsequent qualifying series. Notably, Canada’s women’s team previously defeated the U.S. with a close score of 34-33 at the USA Football Summer Series on June 19.
Eva Havaris, Football Canada’s CEO, applauded the women’s flag football team for their hard work and outstanding performance, expressing excitement for their official qualification for the 2028 Olympics. The team’s achievements were highlighted, with Sara Parker’s passing prowess, Silvia Contreras’ receiving performance, and Caroline Moquin-Joubert’s and Alexane Fournier’s scoring contributions mentioned.
The men’s team also showcased a strong effort, with James Drysdale’s receiving skills, and touchdowns from Jackson Tachinski and Antony Auclair in the semifinals.