The Canadian national women’s flag football team has secured a spot in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles after a convincing 20-6 victory over Mexico in the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) world championship semifinals held in Duesseldorf, Germany.
Expressing her pride in the team, head coach Rachel Lessard commended the players for their discipline, resilience, and teamwork that led to their qualification for the 2028 Olympics. She highlighted the growth of Canadian flag football and the privilege of representing the country at the upcoming Games.
The top two finishers in both men’s and women’s world championships automatically qualified for the 2028 Olympics, with an additional spot available if the United States, as the host nation, reached the final. The Canadian women’s team will face the U.S. in the world championship final, with the winner securing the title and the remaining Olympic berth.
In the men’s competition, Canada suffered a narrow 41-36 defeat against Italy in the semifinals but had the opportunity to secure an early Olympic spot in the bronze-medal match against Mexico. The U.S. will compete against Italy for the men’s gold at the world championship.
Additional opportunities for countries to qualify for the Los Angeles Olympics include next year’s continental championships and a subsequent qualifying series. Notably, Canada’s men and women excelled in the quarterfinals, with victories over American Samoa and Austria, respectively.
Football Canada’s CEO, Eva Havaris, lauded the women’s team for their hard work and exceptional performance, emphasizing their well-deserved qualification for the Olympic stage. The team’s success was further highlighted by standout performances from players like Sara Parker, Silvia Contreras, Caroline Moquin-Joubert, and Alexane Fournier.
As the Canadian athletes gear up for the 2028 Olympics, anticipation and excitement are building for their prospects on the global stage in Los Angeles.
