Canada’s women’s flag football team emerged victorious over the United States to claim the world title, while the men’s team secured their spot at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics at the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) world championships in Düsseldorf, Germany. The women’s team, already guaranteed a spot after defeating top-ranked Mexico 20-6 in the semifinals, sealed a flawless tournament with a 27-20 triumph over the Americans in the final.
Frederique Morneau made a significant impact with three touchdown catches for Canada, while quarterback Sara Parker connected with Caroline Moquin-Joubert for another score. Parker, with a total of 23 touchdown passes, was honored as the most valuable player of the women’s tournament.
In a thrilling match that culminated in the final play, the Canadian women clinched the gold medal by edging out the United States 27-20. On the other hand, the Canadian men secured their Olympic berth by defeating Mexico 34-26 in the third-place game, with quarterback Michael O’Connor leading the charge with 294 yards and five touchdowns.
Former NFL tight-end Antony Auclair contributed significantly with 149 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions from O’Connor. Daniel Petermann scored twice, and James Drysdale added another touchdown for the team. With this victory, Canada secured a place in the LA28 Olympics.
The top two teams in both flag football events, excluding the host Americans, earned qualification for the Los Angeles Olympics, where flag football will make its Olympic debut. Although Canada suffered a loss to Italy in the men’s semifinals, the third-place game turned into a pivotal showdown for an Olympic spot when the American men also advanced to the final.
Canada’s head coach, Paul LaPolice, expressed his pride in the team’s achievements, stating, “Qualifying for the Olympics doesn’t happen by accident, it’s the result of a lot of hard work and dedication, and I’m proud of how our athletes competed when it mattered most.” He further emphasized the significance of both the men’s and women’s teams qualifying together, highlighting the positive trajectory of Canadian flag football.
In the men’s final, the U.S emerged victorious over Italy with a score of 42-26, showcasing the competitive spirit and talent on display throughout the tournament.