Canada’s national women’s flag football team emerged victorious over the United States to claim the world championship title, while the men’s team secured a spot at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics during the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) world championships held in Düsseldorf, Germany. The Canadian women sealed their flawless tournament run with a 27-20 triumph over the Americans in the final, following their earlier 20-6 win against top-seeded Mexico in the semifinals. Frederique Morneau stood out with three touchdown receptions, with quarterback Sara Parker connecting with Caroline Moquin-Joubert for Canada’s additional score. Parker, who accumulated 23 touchdown passes, was recognized as the most valuable player of the women’s competition.
In a nail-biting match that went down to the wire, the Canadian women clinched the gold medal against the U.S team. On the men’s side, Canada secured their Olympic berth by defeating Mexico 34-26 in the third-place playoff. Quarterback Michael O’Connor led the charge with 294 yards and five touchdowns, while former NFL tight end Antony Auclair contributed significantly with 149 receiving yards and two touchdown catches from O’Connor. Daniel Petermann and James Drysdale also found the end zone for Canada.
Both the Canadian men’s and women’s teams will feature at the LA28 Olympics after their remarkable performances at the IFAF world championships. The top two teams from each flag football event, excluding the host United States, earned qualification for the upcoming Olympic debut of flag football in Los Angeles. Despite a loss to Italy in the men’s semifinals, Canada’s men seized the opportunity for Olympic qualification in the third-place match as the American men progressed to the final.
Head coach Paul LaPolice expressed pride in his team’s accomplishment, emphasizing the dedication and hard work that led to the Olympic qualification. LaPolice highlighted the significance of both the men’s and women’s teams earning their Olympic spots together, indicating a promising future for Canadian flag football. In the men’s final, the U.S triumphed over Italy with a score of 42-26, showcasing the competitive spirit of the championship.