Canada’s men’s flag football team secured a spot at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles after defeating Mexico 34-26 in the bronze-medal match of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) world championship held in Düsseldorf, Germany. Quarterback Michael O’Connor showcased an impressive performance, throwing for 134 yards and four touchdowns, with key connections to Antony Auclair, Daniel Petermann, and James Drysdale. The game was tied 20-20 at the end of regulation, but Canada emerged victorious in overtime when O’Connor linked up with Auclair for the game-winning touchdown.
In addition to their strong offense, Canada’s defense played a crucial role, with Marc-Antoine Dequoy securing an interception and François Rocheleau registering three sacks. The top two finishers in both the men’s and women’s world championships were set to earn Olympic berths for the 2028 games, with the United States already qualified as the host nation. However, since the U.S. also reached the men’s final, the top three teams in the men’s tournament secured spots in the Olympics.
Meanwhile, the Canadian women’s team is scheduled to compete against the U.S. in the world championship final. Flag football will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Games.
