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 held in Duesseldorf, Germany.
Expressing her pride in the team, Canadian women’s team head coach Rachel Lessard highlighted the discipline, resilience, and trust that the team has demonstrated throughout the process. The team’s qualification for the 2028 Olympics is a testament to their hard work and dedication showcased at the 2026 IFAF Flag Football world championships.
With flag football set to make its Olympic debut in 2028, the top two countries from both the men’s and women’s world championships secure a spot at the Games. The United States, as the host nation, would qualify automatically if they reached either final, enabling the top three finishers to qualify for the Olympics.
The Canadian women’s team is preparing to face the U.S. in the world title match after the U.S. secured a 27-21 victory over Britain in the semifinals. Meanwhile, Mexico and Britain will contend for the remaining women’s Olympic berth in the bronze-medal game.
Though the Canadian men were defeated 41-36 by Italy in the semifinals, they still have an opportunity to secure an Olympic spot in the bronze-medal match against Mexico. The U.S. emerged victorious with a 42-40 win over Mexico in the other men’s semifinal and will compete against Italy for the gold medal.
Apart from the world championships, countries can also qualify for the Los Angeles Olympics through next year’s continental championships and a subsequent qualifying series. In the quarterfinals, the Canadian men triumphed over American Samoa 24-14, while the women dominated Austria with a 40-12 victory. Additionally, the Canadian women achieved a narrow 34-33 victory over the U.S. at the USA Football Summer Series on June 19.
Football Canada’s CEO, Eva Havaris, commended the women’s flag football team for their exceptional performance and hard work, expressing excitement for their official qualification for the Olympic stage. The team’s success was highlighted by standout performances from players like Sara Parker, Silvia Contreras, Caroline Moquin-Joubert, and Alexane Fournier, who all contributed significantly to Canada’s victories.