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 semifinals of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) world championship held in Duesseldorf, Germany. Head coach Rachel Lessard expressed her pride in the team’s discipline, resilience, and trust that led them to qualify for the Olympics. This achievement marks the growth of Canadian flag football, and the team is honored to continue the momentum at the 2028 Olympic Games.

In the IFAF world championships, the top two countries in both the men’s and women’s categories automatically qualify for the 2028 Olympics. However, if the United States, as the host country, reaches the final, the top three finishers will qualify. The Canadian women will face the U.S. in the world title match, while Mexico and Britain will compete for the remaining women’s Olympic spot in the bronze-medal game.

Despite a 41-36 loss to Italy in the men’s semifinal, Canada still has a chance to secure an early Olympic ticket in the bronze-medal match against Mexico. The U.S. and Italy will battle for the men’s gold at the world championship. Countries can also qualify for the 2028 Olympics through continental championships next year and a qualifying series the following year.

The Canadian women’s team’s journey to the Olympics has been lauded by Football Canada’s CEO, Eva Havaris, who commended the team for their hard work and outstanding performance. Quarterback Sara Parker, along with key players like Silvia Contreras, Caroline Moquin-Joubert, and Alexane Fournier, contributed significantly to the team’s success. Similarly, the Canadian men’s team, led by players like James Drysdale, Jackson Tachinski, and Antony Auclair, put up a strong fight in the semifinals.

The road to the 2028 Olympics for both Canadian flag football teams has been a testament to their talent and dedication, as they gear up to showcase their skills on the global stage in Los Angeles.