The Canadian women’s flag football squad secured their spot at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles after a triumphant victory over Mexico with a score of 20-6 in the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) world championship semifinal held in Duesseldorf, Germany.
Expressing her pride in the team, Rachel Lessard, the head coach of the Canadian women’s team, commended the squad’s discipline, resilience, and unity that led to their qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games. The team’s success at the 2026 IFAF Flag Football world championships showcases the growth of Canadian flag football, and they are thrilled to be part of this momentum heading into the Olympics.
Both the men’s and women’s world championships saw the top two countries secure their spots in the 2028 Olympics, where flag football will make its debut. The United States, being the host nation, had the opportunity to qualify additional teams if they reached either final.
The Canadian women’s team is set to face the U.S. for the world title, while Mexico and Britain will contend for the remaining women’s Olympic slot in the bronze-medal match.
Despite a setback with a 41-36 loss to Italy in the men’s semifinal, the Canadian men still have a chance to secure an early Olympic qualification in the bronze-medal match against Mexico. The U.S. will compete against Italy for the men’s gold at the world championship.
In an exciting turn of events, countries can also earn spots in the Los Angeles Olympics through next year’s continental championships and a subsequent qualifying series.
Sara Parker’s impressive performance in the semifinal included passing for 107 yards, while Silvia Contreras stood out as Canada’s top receiver with 38 yards on six catches and a touchdown. Caroline Moquin-Joubert and Alexane Fournier also made significant contributions to the team’s success.
Football Canada’s CEO, Eva Havaris, lauded the women’s flag football team for their hard work and outstanding performance, emphasizing that their qualification for the Olympics is well-deserved. The team’s achievement has garnered widespread support, and everyone is eager to witness their performance on the Olympic stage.
On the men’s side, James Drysdale, Jackson Tachinski, and Antony Auclair showcased their skills in the semifinal, with Drysdale leading in receiving yards and contributing a touchdown.