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 a semifinal match at the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) world championship in Duesseldorf, Germany. Head coach Rachel Lessard expressed pride in the team’s discipline and resilience, highlighting their qualification for the Olympics as a testament to their hard work.
The top two countries from both the men’s and women’s world championships will qualify for the 2028 Olympics, with an additional spot available if the United States, as the host nation, reaches the final. The Canadian women’s team will face the U.S. for the world title, while Mexico and Britain will compete for the remaining Olympic berth in the bronze-medal match.
In the men’s competition, Canada lost to Italy in the semifinals but still has a chance to secure an Olympic spot in the bronze-medal match against Mexico. The U.S. will play Italy for the men’s gold medal.
The Canadian women’s team’s victory was celebrated by Eva Havaris, CEO of Football Canada, who commended the team for their hard work and performance. The players, including Sara Parker, Silvia Contreras, Caroline Moquin-Joubert, and Alexane Fournier, showcased their skills in the semifinal match. Similarly, the Canadian men, led by James Drysdale, Jackson Tachinski, and Antony Auclair, displayed a strong performance despite the loss to Italy.
Countries can also qualify for the 2028 Olympics through continental championships and a subsequent qualifying series. Canada’s successful matches against American Samoa and Austria in the quarterfinals, as well as their victory over the U.S. in a previous event, have contributed to their journey towards the Olympics.