Canada is aiming to secure spots in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in flag football, which is making its Olympic debut. This week at the world championships in Germany, teams are competing for two spots in the men’s and women’s tournaments, with each tournament comprising six teams. The United States, a dominant force in flag football, has an automatic entry, while the remaining spots will be determined in a two-stage qualifier in Montreal in June 2028.
Although the world championships do not guarantee an Olympic berth, securing a spot early would be advantageous, avoiding the pressure of the last-chance qualifier in the coming years.
In the preliminary round, sixteen teams in each men’s and women’s tournament are divided into groups of four. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage, with the medal games taking place on Sunday to determine the world champions and the Olympic qualifiers.
The Canadian women will face Panama, Brazil, and Japan in the group stage, while the Canadian men will compete against Austria, Japan, and benefited from a default win against Nigeria due to visa issues.
The Canadian women’s team holds the fourth rank globally and has previously won world championships in 2010 and 2014. The Canadian men secured their only world title in 2008. Notably, the U.S. men’s team is aiming for a sixth consecutive world title.
The Olympics’ inclusion of flag football for 2028 sparked speculation about the participation of NFL and CFL stars for the U.S. and Canada. However, the difference between flag and tackle football was evident in a recent exhibition tournament, where flag football players outperformed NFL stars with their agility and strategic gameplay.
Canada’s national teams include former NFL and CFL players, showcasing a blend of experience and talent. Viewers can catch the flag football world championships live on CBC Gem and the CBC Sports website starting at 2 a.m. ET.
