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 the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) world championship semifinal in Duesseldorf, Germany. Head coach Rachel Lessard expressed pride in the team’s discipline, resilience, and trust that led to this qualification.
Canada’s success in the world championships has highlighted the growth of flag football in the country, with the team set to represent Canada at the Olympics. The top two countries in each men’s and women’s world championships automatically qualify for the 2028 Olympics, with the possibility of additional qualifiers if the host nation, the United States, reaches the final.
In the upcoming world title match, the Canadian women will face the United States, while Mexico and Britain will compete for the remaining women’s Olympic berth in the bronze-medal game. Despite a loss to Italy in the semifinals, the Canadian men still have a chance to secure an Olympic spot in the bronze-medal match against Mexico.
The road to the Olympics also includes qualifying opportunities through next year’s continental championships and a subsequent qualifying series. Football Canada CEO Eva Havaris commended the women’s team for their hard work and exceptional performance, expressing excitement for their Olympic journey.
Key players in the semifinals included Sara Parker, Silvia Contreras, Caroline Moquin-Joubert, Alexane Fournier, James Drysdale, Jackson Tachinski, and Antony Auclair, who all contributed significantly to their respective teams.
