Canada’s women’s flag football team secured the world title by defeating the United States at the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) world championships in Düsseldorf, Germany. The women’s team, having already secured a spot with a 20-6 victory over top-ranked Mexico in the semifinals, concluded a flawless tournament with a 27-20 triumph over the Americans in the final match.
Frederique Morneau made three touchdown receptions for Canada, while quarterback Sara Parker connected with Caroline Moquin-Joubert for another score. Parker, who amassed a total of 23 touchdown passes, was honored as the most valuable player of the women’s tournament.
On the other hand, the Canadian men’s team also excelled, earning a place at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after defeating Mexico 34-26 in the third-place match. Quarterback Michael O’Connor led the team with 294 yards and five touchdowns. Former NFL tight-end Antony Auclair contributed 149 receiving yards and caught two of O’Connor’s touchdown passes. Additionally, Daniel Petermann scored twice, and James Drysdale added another touchdown.
The top two teams from each flag football event, excluding the host Americans, secured spots at the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics, where flag football will debut as an Olympic sport. Although Canada lost to Italy in the men’s semifinals, they clinched an Olympic berth by beating Mexico in the third-place game, as the American men also advanced to the final.
Head coach Paul LaPolice expressed his pride in the team’s performance, stating, “We came to the world championships to win, and this group got it done.” He emphasized the hard work and dedication that led to qualifying for the Olympics, highlighting the athletes’ exceptional performance when it mattered the most. LaPolice also commended the growth of Canadian flag football, noting the significance of both the men’s and women’s teams qualifying together.
In the men’s final, the United States emerged victorious against Italy with a score of 42-26, showcasing the high level of competition at the championships.
This achievement marks a significant milestone for Canadian flag football, setting a promising trajectory for the sport’s future.