Canada is one of the countries vying for the initial available spots in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as flag football is preparing for its debut in the Games. The ongoing world championships in Germany this week will determine two positions each for the men’s and women’s Olympic tournaments, which will consist of only six teams. The United States, a dominant force in flag football, automatically qualifies as the host nation, leaving the remaining spots to be decided through a two-phase qualifier starting in June 2028 in Montreal.
While securing a spot in the Olympics is not solely dependent on the results of the current world championships, it would certainly be advantageous to secure a position now rather than relying on the last-chance qualifier in the following two years.
At the championships, sixteen teams are participating in both the men’s and women’s tournaments in Germany, divided into groups of four for the preliminary round held on Thursday and Friday. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage starting on Saturday, with the medal matches set for Sunday to determine the world champions and the Olympic qualifiers.
The top two teams in each tournament will earn a ticket to the Olympics, but a third-place finish could also suffice if the U.S. reaches the final, setting the stage for potentially intense bronze-medal encounters.
In the women’s competition, Canada, currently ranked fourth globally, will face Panama, Brazil, and Japan in the group stage matches. On the other hand, the Canadian men, ranked 10th, will compete against Austria, Japan, and a forfeited match against Nigeria due to visa issues.
The Canadian women’s team has a successful history in flag football, having won world championships in 2010 and 2014, with a bronze in 2018. The men’s team claimed their sole world title in 2008. Notably, the U.S. men’s team is aiming for a sixth consecutive world title.
The inclusion of flag football in the 2028 Olympics sparked speculation about NFL and CFL stars joining the national teams. However, a recent exhibition tournament in Los Angeles showcased the distinct skills required for flag football, where current and former NFL players were outmaneuvered by dedicated flag football athletes. Canada has assembled competitive rosters with notable players such as Antony Auclair and Sabrina Gervais for the men’s and women’s teams, respectively.
Fans can catch the flag football world championships live on CBC Gem and the CBC Sports website, starting Thursday at 2 a.m. ET.