The Canadian women’s national flag football team has secured their spot in 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.
Coach Rachel Lessard expressed her pride in the team’s achievement, attributing it to their discipline, resilience, and teamwork throughout the process. She highlighted that the team’s success at the 2026 IFAF Flag Football world championships has contributed to the growing prominence of Canadian flag football.
In the men’s and women’s world championships, the top two countries qualify for the 2028 Olympics when flag football makes its debut. However, if the United States, as the host nation, reaches the final, the top three finishers secure a spot in L.A.
The Canadian women’s team will face the U.S. for the world championship title, while Mexico and Britain will compete for the remaining women’s Olympic qualification in the bronze-medal match.
In the men’s semifinals, Canada was defeated 41-36 by Italy, setting up a chance for them to secure an early Olympic berth in the bronze-medal match against Mexico. The U.S. emerged victorious with a 42-40 win over Mexico and will contend for the men’s gold against Italy.
Additional opportunities for countries to qualify for the Los Angeles Olympics include next year’s continental championships and a subsequent qualifying series.
The Canadian women’s team showcased a stellar performance, with Sara Parker passing for 107 yards in the semifinal match. Silvia Contreras led the team in receiving with 38 yards and a touchdown, while Caroline Moquin-Joubert and Alexane Fournier also contributed to the scoring. For the men, James Drysdale stood out with 76 yards and a touchdown, alongside Jackson Tachinski and Antony Auclair finding the end zone.
Football Canada’s CEO, Eva Havaris, commended the women’s team for their hard work and outstanding performance, expressing excitement for their upcoming participation in the Olympic stage.
