The Canadian women’s flag football team 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 achievement. The team’s success reflects the growth of Canadian flag football, and they are excited to continue the momentum at the 2028 Olympic Games.
In the men’s and women’s world championships, the top two countries earned qualification for the 2028 Olympics, with the United States automatically qualifying as the host nation. The Canadian women will face the U.S. in the world title match after the U.S. defeated Britain in the semifinals. 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 Olympic berth in the bronze-medal match against Mexico. The U.S. will play Italy for the men’s gold medal. Qualification opportunities for the 2028 Olympics also exist through next year’s continental championships and a subsequent qualifying series.
In the quarterfinals, Canada’s men defeated American Samoa 24-14, while the women triumphed over Austria 40-12. The women’s team also had a notable victory over the U.S. at the USA Football Summer Series. Sara Parker, Silvia Contreras, Caroline Moquin-Joubert, and Alexane Fournier delivered standout performances for the Canadian teams in the semifinals.
Football Canada’s CEO, Eva Havaris, commended the women’s flag football team for their hard work and exceptional performance. The team’s success in securing a place at the Olympics is a testament to their dedication and talent. Both the players and supporters are eagerly looking forward to their participation in Los Angeles.
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